check Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a written order directing a bank to pay money
    cheque; bank check.
    • he paid all his bills by check
  2. noun an appraisal of the state of affairs
    assay.
    • they made an assay of the contents
    • a check on its dependability under stress
  3. noun the bill in a restaurant
    tab; chit.
    • he asked the waiter for the check
  4. noun the state of inactivity following an interruption
    halt; stoppage; stop; hitch; arrest; stay.
    • the negotiations were in arrest
    • held them in check
    • during the halt he got some lunch
    • the momentary stay enabled him to escape the blow
    • he spent the entire stop in his seat
  5. noun additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct
    confirmation; substantiation; verification.
    • fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory
  6. noun the act of inspecting or verifying
    check-out procedure; checkout.
    • they made a check of their equipment
    • the pilot ran through the check-out procedure
  7. noun a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.
    check mark; tick.
    • as he called the role he put a check mark by each student's name
  8. noun something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
    balk; handicap; baulk; impediment; hindrance; deterrent; hinderance.
  9. noun a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something
    chip.
  10. noun a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)
    • she wore a skirt with checks
  11. noun the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
    curb; bridle.
    • his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper
  12. noun obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
  13. noun (chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king
  14. verb examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
    check into; go over; suss out; check over; check up on; look into; check out.
    • check the brakes
    • Check out the engine
  15. verb make an examination or investigation
    • check into the rumor
    • check the time of the class
  16. verb be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
    insure; control; see to it; assure; see; ensure; ascertain.
    • He verified that the valves were closed
    • See that the curtains are closed
    • control the quality of the product
  17. verb lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
    control; moderate; hold in; curb; contain; hold.
    • moderate your alcohol intake
    • hold your tongue
    • hold your temper
    • control your anger
  18. verb stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution
    • She checked for an instant and missed a step
  19. verb put a check mark on or near or next to
    mark off; check off; mark; tick off; tick.
    • Please check each name on the list
    • tick off the items
    • mark off the units
  20. verb slow the growth or development of
    delay; retard.
    • The brain damage will retard the child's language development
  21. verb be verified or confirmed; pass inspection
    check out.
    • These stories don't check!
  22. verb be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
    gibe; fit; tally; correspond; agree; jibe; match.
    • The two stories don't agree in many details
    • The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
    • The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
  23. verb block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey
  24. verb develop (children's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control
    discipline; train; condition.
    • Parents must discipline their children
    • Is this dog trained?
  25. verb consign for shipment on a vehicle
    • check your luggage before boarding
  26. verb hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping
    • Check your coat at the door
  27. verb abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey
  28. verb stop in a chase especially when scent is lost
    • The dog checked
  29. verb mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on
    checker; chequer.
  30. verb decline to initiate betting
  31. verb hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
    turn back; stop; hold back; arrest; contain.
    • Arrest the downward trend
    • Check the growth of communism in South East Asia
    • Contain the rebel movement
    • Turn back the tide of communism
  32. verb place into check
    • He checked my kings
  33. verb write out a check on a bank account
  34. verb find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
    learn; watch; see; determine; ascertain; find out.
    • I want to see whether she speaks French
    • See whether it works
    • find out if he speaks Russian
    • Check whether the train leaves on time
  35. verb verify by consulting a source or authority
    • check the spelling of this word
    • check your facts
  36. verb arrest the motion (of something) abruptly
    • He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve
  37. verb make cracks or chinks in
    chink.
    • The heat checked the paint
  38. verb become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
    break; crack.
    • The glass cracked when it was heated

WordNet

Check noun
Etymology
OE. chek, OF. eschec, F. échec, a stop, hindrance, orig. check in the game of chess, pl. échecs chess, through AR., fr. Pers. shah king. See Shah, and cf. Checkmate, Chess, Checker.
Definitions
  1. (Chess) A word of warning denoting that the king is in danger; such a menace of a player's king by an adversary's move as would, if it were any other piece, expose it to immediate capture. A king so menaced is said to be in check, and must be made safe at the next move.
  2. A condition of interrupted or impeded progress; arrest; stop; delay; as, to hold an enemy in check.
    Which gave a remarkable check to the first progress of Christianity. Addison.
    No check, no stay, this streamlet fears. Wordsworth.
  3. Whatever arrests progress, or limits action; an obstacle, guard, restraint, or rebuff.
    Useful check upon the administration of government. Washington.
    A man whom no check could abash. Macaulay.
  4. A mark, certificate, or token, by which, errors may be prevented, or a thing or person may be identified; as, checks placed against items in an account; a check given for baggage; a return check on a railroad.
  5. A written order directing a bank or banker to pay money as therein stated. See Bank check, below.
  6. A woven or painted design in squares resembling the patten of a checkerboard; one of the squares of such a design; also, cloth having such a figure.
  7. (Falconry) The forsaking by a hawk of its proper game to follow other birds.
  8. Small chick or crack. Syn. -- Hindrance; setback; interruption; obstruction; reprimand; censure; rebuke; reproof; repulse; rebuff; tally; counterfoil; counterbalance; ticket; draft.
Check transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Checked ; present participle & verbal noun checking
Definitions
  1. (Chess) To make a move which puts an adversary's piece, esp. his king, in check; to put in check.
  2. To put a sudden restraint upon; to stop temporarily; to hinder; to repress; to curb.
    So many clogs to check and retard the headlong course of violence and oppression. Burke.
  3. To verify, to guard, to make secure, by means of a mark, token, or other check; to distinguish by a check; to put a mark against (an item) after comparing with an original or a counterpart in order to secure accuracy; as, to check an account; to check baggage.
  4. To chide, rebuke, or reprove.
    The good king, his master, will check him for it. Shak.
  5. (Naut.) To slack or ease off, as a brace which is too stiffly extended.
  6. To make checks or chinks in; to cause to crack; as, the sun checks timber. Syn. -- To restrain; curb; bridle; repress; control; hinder; impede; obstruct; interrupt; tally; rebuke; reprove; rebuff.
Check intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make a stop; to pause; -- with at.
    The mind, once jaded by an attempt above its power, either is disabled for the future, or else checks at any vigorous undertaking ever after. Locke.
  2. To clash or interfere. R. Bacon.
  3. To act as a curb or restraint.
    It [his presence] checks too strong upon me. Dryden.
  4. To crack or gape open, as wood in drying; or to crack in small checks, as varnish, paint, etc.
  5. (Falconry) To turn, when in pursuit of proper game, and fly after other birds.
    And like the haggard, check at every feather That comes before his eye. Shak.
Check adjective
Definitions
  1. Checkered; designed in checks.

Webster 1913