check

• : to stop or arrest the motion of suddenly or forcibly: He checked the horse at the edge of the cliff.
• : to restrain; hold in restraint or control: They built a high wall to check the tides.
• : to cause a reduction, as in rate or intensity; diminish: The new measures checked the rapidity with which the epidemic was spreading.
• : to investigate or verify as to correctness: She checked the copy against the original.
• : to make an inquiry into, search through, etc.: We checked the files, but the letter was missing.
• : to inspect or test the performance, condition, safety, etc., of: Check a used car thoroughly before buying it.
• : to mark so as to indicate examination, correctness, preference, etc.: Please check the correct answer. They checked off the names of people they wanted to invite.
• : to leave in temporary custody: Check your umbrellas at the door.
• : to accept for temporary custody: We accept responsibility for any article we check here.
• : to send on a passenger's ticket, usually on the same carrier used by the passenger, for pickup at the destination: We checked two trunks through to Portland.
• : to accept for conveyance, and to convey, under the privilege of a passenger's ticket: Check this trunk to Portland.
• : to mark with or in a pattern of squares: to check fabric.
• : Agriculture. to plant in checkrows.
• : Chess. to place under direct attack.
• : Ice Hockey. to obstruct or impede the movement or progress of.Compare back-check, fore-check.
• : Baseball. to hold back on just after the swing has been started: The umpire is saying Cruz did check his swing, so that’ll be ball three.See also checked swing.
• : Baseball. to turn and look at to inhibit the runner from leading: Lopez checks the runner on second, looks back at Hamilton, and fires another sidearm pitch.

• : to prove to be right; correspond accurately: The reprint checks with the original, item for item.
• : to make an inquiry, investigation, etc., as for verification: He checked to make sure his answer was correct. Check into the matter.
• : to make a sudden stop; pause: The horse checked before he jumped.
• : Chess. to make a move that puts the opponent's king under direct attack.
• : Baseball. to hold back on a swing of the bat just after the swing has been started: From our perspective, it’s hard to tell whether he checked or not.See also checked swing.
• : to crack or split, usually in small checks: Painted surfaces may check with age.
• : Poker. to decline to initiate the betting in a betting round, usually to force another player to make the first bet rather than raise it.
• : Hunting. to stop, especially because the line of scent has been lost.
• : Falconry. to forsake the proper prey and follow baser game.

plural checks or, for 43, chex.

• : Also British, cheque .Banking. a written order, usually on a standard printed form, directing a bank to pay money.
• : a slip or ticket showing the amount owed, especially a bill for food or beverages consumed.
• : a ticket or token that when matched with a counterpart identifies an article left in the temporary custody of another, the purchaser of a ticket, a person who is to be served next, etc.
• : a criterion, standard, or means to insure against error, fraud, etc.: This handmade sample is a check that the machine-made samples have to match.
• : an inquiry, search, or examination: We made a quick check but found nothing missing.
• : Also called check mark . a mark, often indicated by, as on a list, to indicate that something has been considered, acted upon, or approved.
• : a person or thing that stops, limits, slows, or restrains: The increase of duty was an effective check on imports. He was a check on her enthusiasm.
• : a sudden arrest or stoppage: Taxation caused a check in the accumulation of vast fortunes.
• : a control, test, or inspection that ascertains performance or prevents error: They ran a check on the dependability of the automobile.
• : a pattern formed of squares, as on a checkerboard.
• : one of the squares in such a pattern.
• : a fabric having a check pattern.
• : Chess. the exposure of the king to direct attack: The king was in check.
• : Ice Hockey. any of several maneuvers designed to obstruct or impede the forward progress of an opponent.Compare board check, body check, cross-check, hook check, poke check, sweep check.
• : a counter used in card games, as the chip in poker.
• : a small crack: There were several checks in the paint.
• : an egg, designated for market, having a slightly cracked shell and an intact inner membrane.
• : Masonry. a rabbet-shaped cutting on the edge of a stone, by which it is fitted to another stone.
• : Hunting. the losing of the scent by a dog or pack. a period in a hunt, following the losing of the scent by the hounds, during which the field rests quietly while the hounds cast to regain the scent.

• : serving to check, control, verify, etc.: a check system.
• : ornamented with a pattern of squares; checkered: a check border.

• : Chess.
• : Informal. all right! agreed!

• : check in, to register, as at a hotel; indicate one's arrival or presence at a place, function, etc., usually by signing an appropriate form: We checked in at the reception desk.
• : check on / up on to investigate, scrutinize, or inspect: Don't forget to check on his work. We have to check up on him.
• : check out, to vacate and pay for one's quarters at a hotel.to verify or become verified; examine or investigate.to fulfill requirements, as by passing a test: The engine checked out and we proceeded on our way.to itemize, total the cost of, and collect payment for: The supermarket cashier was exhausted from checking out groceries all day long.to have the cost added up and pay for merchandise.to borrow by having it listed as one's temporary responsibility: The adding machine was checked out in your name.Informal.to depart quickly or abruptly; leave in a hurry.Slang.to die.
• : check over, to examine or investigate, especially thoroughly.