# check

Pronunciation: say "CHEK" /t͡ʃɛk/

## Verb

1. To look at, test or examine something to find out about it or to make sure it is correct, safe or in good condition, for example by comparing it with a reliable source.
   - Simple: To look at or test something to find out about it or make sure it is right, safe or working.
   - _Mechanics check every brake line before returning a car to its owner._
   - _The inspector checked the bridge supports for signs of rust._
4. To consult a person, as in check with someone, to find something out or to get their advice or permission.
   - Simple: To ask someone so you can find something out or get their advice or permission.
   - _Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program._
   - _The reporter checked with two other officials before running the story._
5. To slow, limit, or stop something, or to come to a sudden stop or pause.
   - Simple: To slow, limit, or stop something, or to stop or pause yourself.
   - _The central bank raised interest rates to check rising prices before they got out of hand._
   - _Antibiotics checked the spread of the infection._
7. To hand over coats, bags, or luggage to be looked after for a time or carried, as at a cloakroom or an airline counter.
   - Simple: To give your coat or bags to someone who will look after them or carry them for you.
   - _Passengers can check oversized items at the special counter._
   - _She checked her skis through to the final destination._
8. To prove accurate or to be the case after verification or interrogation.
   - Simple: To turn out to be true or correct after being looked into.
   - _If the totals don't check, go back through the receipts._
   - _Her credentials checked out, so she got the job._
9. To mark items on a list, with a checkmark or by crossing them out, to show they have been chosen, completed, or dealt with. *(US)*
   - Simple: To put a mark next to items on a list to show you have chosen them or are done with them.
   - _Check the box next to each topic that interests you._
   - _He checked off each chore once it was done._
15. In chess, to make a move that places the opponent's king under direct threat.
   - Simple: In chess, to make a move that directly attacks the other player's king.
   - _He checked the king and forced it into the corner._
   - _Advance the knight to check the exposed king._
17. In poker, to stay in the hand without betting, passing the action to the next player.
   - Simple: In a card game, to stay in the round without betting, leaving the choice to the next player.
   - _First to act, she chose to check and wait for the turn card._
   - _He checked on the river, then called the all-in bet._
19. To disrupt an opposing player with your stick or body to gain possession of the ball or puck.
   - Simple: To use your body or stick to block another player and take the ball or puck.
   - _She checked the winger cleanly and stole the puck._
   - _Players who check opponents too aggressively risk a penalty._
20. To scold or sharply rebuke someone for their behavior or attitude. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: To tell someone off firmly for doing something wrong.
   - _If he keeps talking to you like that, you need to check him and tell him to knock it off._
   - _When her cousin started mocking the waiter, she checked him right there at the table and told him to show some respect._
22. To mark a surface or fabric with a pattern of squares in alternating colors.
   - Simple: To mark or decorate something with a pattern of colored squares.
   - _The cafe floor was checked in red and cream, the tiles worn smooth by decades of boots._
   - _Her grandmother's old apron, checked in faded blue and white, still hung on a hook by the stove._

## Noun

2. An inspection or examination carried out to confirm something's condition or correctness.
   - Simple: A careful look at something to make sure it is right or working well.
   - _A routine check revealed a small leak in the pipe._
   - _Engineers run safety checks on the elevator each month._
3. A written order directing a bank to pay a specified sum to a named person or entity. *(US)*
   - Simple: A printed paper that tells a bank to pay money to a person.
   - _Grandma mailed a birthday check every year._
   - _The company issued checks to all its suppliers._
10. A statement of the amount owed for a meal, especially in a restaurant. *(US)*
   - Simple: The piece of paper that shows how much you owe at a restaurant.
   - _The waiter brought the check after dessert._
   - _They split the check four ways._
6. Something that serves as a control, limit, or stop on another force or action.
   - Simple: Something that stops or limits how far something can go.
   - _Independent courts provide a check on government power._
   - _High interest rates act as a check on borrowing._
11. A mark, especially a checkmark (✓), used to indicate that something is correct, chosen, or complete. *(US)*
   - Simple: A small mark like ✓ used to show that something is correct or done.
   - _He drew a quick check beside the right answer._
   - _The form had checks in three of the boxes._
13. In chess, a situation in which a player's king is directly threatened by an opposing piece.
   - Simple: In chess, when a player's king is under direct attack and must be saved.
   - _A check forces the player to respond immediately._
   - _Her queen delivered check from across the board._
16. A pattern of squares in alternating colors, or cloth woven with such a pattern.
   - Simple: A pattern of small squares in two or more colors, or cloth with this pattern.
   - _His jacket had a bold blue and green check._
   - _Traditional checks appear in many regional textile patterns._
18. A move in which one player blocks or knocks an opponent away to take them out of the play.
   - Simple: A move where one player blocks or hits another to stop them from playing.
   - _A well-timed check sent the forward sprawling._
   - _The referee ruled the check illegal because of contact to the head._
21. A mark, token, or certificate used to identify a person or thing or to guard against mistakes.
   - Simple: A mark or token used to prevent mistakes or to identify a thing or person.
   - _The hotel porter gave me a numbered check for my suitcase, and I traded it back for the bag after lunch._
   - _Each parcel received a numbered check to match it to its owner._
23. A small chink or crack in a surface.
   - Simple: A small crack or split in a surface.
   - _A hairline check appeared in the varnish over time._
   - _The drying timber developed several checks along its length._

## Interjection

12. Used to confirm that a particular requirement or item has been satisfied or accounted for.
   - Simple: Said to show that something needed has been done or is ready.
   - _Fuel tank full? Check._
   - _She went down the list: ID, check, boarding pass, check._
14. Used by a diner to request the bill in order to pay, especially in a restaurant. *(US)*
   - Simple: Said to ask a waiter to bring the bill so you can pay.
   - _When the meal ended, she caught the waiter's eye and said, 'Check, please.'_
   - _'Check!' he called across the diner, reaching for his wallet._

## Other meanings

- (noun) A token that stands in for money in gambling, including in gaming machines.
- (noun) A split in timber that runs along the grain and across the annual rings, often formed as the wood dries.
- (noun) A hawk's fault of abandoning the quarry it was flown at in order to chase some other bird.
- (verb) In pickup basketball, to toss the ball to a defender from beyond the arc, who throws it back so play can start.
- (verb) To loosen or let out a rope or brace that has been pulled too tight.
- (verb) Of wood, paint or varnish, to develop small splits or a network of fine cracks, as when drying.
- (verb) To cause small splits or cracks to form in something.
- (verb) To conflict or get in the way of one another.
- (verb) Of a hawk, to break off from chasing its intended prey and go after some other bird instead.
- (adjective) Divided into a pattern of alternating colored squares, like a chessboard.

## Origin

**Meanings 2–3, 6, 10–11, 13, 18, 21, 23** — From Middle English chek, borrowed via Old French eschek from Medieval Latin scaccus, itself from Arabic شَاه (šāh, 'king or check at chess'), from Persian šāh ('king'), tracing back through Old Persian and ultimately to Proto-Indo-European *tek- ('to gain power over'). Most of the English senses developed from the chess sense.
**Meanings 1, 4–5, 7–9, 12, 14–15, 17, 19–20** — Middle English chekken drew on two sources. One was eschequier, an Old French verb, and the other was the noun "check" itself.
**Meanings 16, 22** — English shortened chequer to make this word. Chequer itself traces back via Old French eschequier, meaning "chessboard," and Medieval Latin scaccarium to a Persian root, the same one behind the other senses of "check."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/check (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).