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 check check /ˈtʃɛk/

noun

  1. () [ N. American] A written order directing a bank to pay money  ( bank check [American] , cheque [Canadian, British] , check [ N. American] )
    a written order directing a bank to pay money
     He paid all his bills by check
    he paid all his bills by check
  2. () An appraisal of the state of affairs  ( assay , check )
    an appraisal of the state of affairs
     They made an assay of the contents
    they made an assay of the contents
     A check on its dependability under stress
    a check on its dependability under stress
  3. () [ N. American] The bill in a restaurant  ( chit , tab [Informal, N. American] , check [ N. American] )
    the bill in a restaurant
     He asked the waiter for the check
    he asked the waiter for the check
  4. () The act of inspecting or verifying  ( check-out procedure , check , checkout )
    the act of inspecting or verifying
     They made a check of their equipment
    they made a check of their equipment
     The pilot ran through the check-out procedure
    the pilot ran through the check-out procedure
  5. () Additional proof that something that was believed (some fact, hypothesis or theory) is correct  ( substantiation , check , verification , confirmation )
    additional proof that something that was believed (some fact, hypothesis or theory) is correct
     Fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory
    fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory
  6. () The state of inactivity following an interruption  ( arrest , hitch , stay , check , halt , stop , stoppage )
    the state of inactivity following an interruption
     The negotiations were in arrest
    the negotiations were in arrest
     Held them in check
    held them in check
     During the halt he got some lunch
    during the halt he got some lunch
     The momentary stay enabled him to escape the blow
    the momentary stay enabled him to escape the blow
     He spent the entire stop in his seat
    he spent the entire stop in his seat
  7. (chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king  ( check )
    (chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king
     In the midst of the chess game, she moved her knight and declared a check.
    In the midst of the chess game, she moved her knight and declared a check.
  8. Obstructing an opponent in ice hockey  ( check )
    obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
  9. The act of restraining power, action or limiting excess  ( bridle , check , curb )
    the act of restraining power, action or limiting excess
     His common sense is a bridle to his quick temper
    his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper
  10. A textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)  ( check )
    a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)
     She wore a skirt with checks
    she wore a skirt with checks
  11. A mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something  ( check , chip )
    a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something
  12. Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress  ( balk , baulk , check , deterrent , handicap , hinderance , hindrance , impediment )
    something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
  13. A mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.  ( check , tick [British] , check mark )
    a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.
     As he called the role he put a check mark by each student's name
    as he called the role he put a check mark by each student's name

verb

  1. () Examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition  ( check over , check up on , suss out [Informal, British] , check , check into , check out , go over , look into , suss [Informal, British] )
    examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
     Check the brakes
    check the brakes
     Check out the engine
    Check out the engine
  2. () Make an examination or investigation  ( check )
    make an examination or investigation
     Check into the rumor
    check into the rumor
     Check the time of the class
    check the time of the class
  3. () Be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something  ( control , ascertain , ensure , assure , check , insure , see , see to it )
    be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
     He verified that the valves were closed
    He verified that the valves were closed
     See that the curtains are closed
    See that the curtains are closed
     Control the quality of the product
    control the quality of the product
  4. () Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits  ( hold , moderate , hold in , check , contain , control , curb )
    lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
     Moderate your alcohol intake
    moderate your alcohol intake
     Hold your tongue
    hold your tongue
     Hold your temper
    hold your temper
     Control your anger
    control your anger
  5. () Slow the growth or development of  ( delay , retard , check )
    slow the growth or development of
     The brain damage will retard the child's language development
    The brain damage will retard the child's language development
  6. () Put a check mark on, near or next to  ( check off , mark , mark off , check , tick [British] , tick off [Informal, Canadian, British] )
    put a check mark on, near or next to
     Please check each name on the list
    Please check each name on the list
     Tick off the items
    tick off the items
     Mark off the units
    mark off the units
  7. () Stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution  ( check )
    stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution
     She checked for an instant and missed a step
    She checked for an instant and missed a step
  8. Become fractured; break or crack on the surface only  ( break , check , crack )
    become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
     The glass cracked when it was heated
    The glass cracked when it was heated
  9. Make cracks or chinks in  ( check , chink )
    make cracks or chinks in
     The heat checked the paint
    The heat checked the paint
  10. Arrest the motion (of something) abruptly  ( check )
    arrest the motion (of something) abruptly
     He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve
    He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve
  11. Verify by consulting a source or authority  ( check )
    verify by consulting a source or authority
     Check the spelling of this word
    check the spelling of this word
     Check your facts
    check your facts
  12. Find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort  ( ascertain , check , determine , find out , learn , see , watch )
    find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
     I want to see whether she speaks French
    I want to see whether she speaks French
     See whether it works
    See whether it works
     Find out if he speaks Russian
    find out if he speaks Russian
     Check whether the train leaves on time
    Check whether the train leaves on time
  13. [American] Write out a check on a bank account  ( check [American] )
    write out a check on a bank account
  14. (chess) place into check  ( check )
    (chess) place into check
     He checked my kings
    He checked my kings
  15. Hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of  ( check , contain , turn back , arrest , hold back , stop )
    hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
     Arrest the downward trend
    Arrest the downward trend
     Check the growth of communism in South East Asia
    Check the growth of communism in South East Asia
     Contain the rebel movement
    Contain the rebel movement
     Turn back the tide of communism
    Turn back the tide of communism
  16. (card game) decline to initiate betting  ( check )
    (card game) decline to initiate betting
  17. [ N. American] Mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on  ( check [ N. American] , checker [ N. American] , chequer [Canadian, British] )
    mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on
  18. Stop in a chase especially when scent is lost  ( check )
    stop in a chase especially when scent is lost
     The dog checked
    The dog checked
  19. (falconry) abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey  ( check )
    (falconry) abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey
  20. [ N. American] Hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping  ( check [ N. American] )
    hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping
     Check your coat at the door
    Check your coat at the door
  21. Consign for shipment on a vehicle  ( check )
    consign for shipment on a vehicle
     Check your luggage before boarding
    check your luggage before boarding
  22. Develop (a child's or animal's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control  ( check , condition , discipline , train )
    develop (a child's or animal's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control
     Parents must discipline their children
    Parents must discipline their children
     Is this dog trained?
    Is this dog trained?
  23. Block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey  ( check )
    block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey
  24. Be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics  ( check , gibe , jibe , agree , correspond , fit , match , tally )
    be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
     The two stories don't agree in many details
    The two stories don't agree in many details
     The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
    The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
     The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
    The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
  25. Be verified or confirmed; pass inspection  ( check , check out )
    be verified or confirmed; pass inspection
     These stories don't check!
    These stories don't check!