Meaning & Definition of Check in English

1. A written order directing a bank to pay money

• "He paid all his bills by check"

2. An appraisal of the state of affairs

• "They made an assay of the contents"

• "A check on its dependability under stress"

3. The bill in a restaurant

• "He asked the waiter for the check"

4. The state of inactivity following an interruption

• "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. Additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct

• "Fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory"

6. The act of inspecting or verifying

• "They made a check of their equipment"

• "The pilot ran through the check-out procedure"

7. 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"

8. Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

9. A mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something

10. A textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)

• "She wore a skirt with checks"

11. The act of restraining power or action or limiting excess

• "His common sense is a bridle to his quick temper"

12. Obstructing an opponent in ice hockey

13. (chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king

1. Examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition

• "Check the brakes"

• "Check out the engine"

2. Make an examination or investigation

• "Check into the rumor"

• "Check the time of the class"

3. Be careful or certain to do something

• Make certain of something

• "He verified that the valves were closed"

• "See that the curtains are closed"

• "Control the quality of the product"

4. Lessen the intensity of

• Temper

• Hold in restraint

• Hold or keep within limits

• "Moderate your alcohol intake"

• "Hold your tongue"

• "Hold your temper"

• "Control your anger"

5. Stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution

• "She checked for an instant and missed a step"

6. Put a check mark on or near or next to

• "Please check each name on the list"

• "Tick off the items"

• "Mark off the units"

7. Slow the growth or development of

• "The brain damage will retard the child's language development"

8. Be verified or confirmed

• Pass inspection

• "These stories don't check!"

9. Be compatible, similar or consistent

• Coincide in their characteristics

• "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"

10. Block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey

11. Develop (children's) behavior by instruction and practice

• Especially to teach self-control

• "Parents must discipline their children"

• "Is this dog trained?"

12. Consign for shipment on a vehicle

• "Check your luggage before boarding"

13. Hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping

• "Check your coat at the door"

14. Abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey

15. Stop in a chase especially when scent is lost

• "The dog checked"

16. Mark into squares or draw squares on

• Draw crossed lines on

17. Decline to initiate betting

18. Hold back, as of a danger or an enemy

• Check the expansion or influence of

• "Arrest the downward trend"

• "Check the growth of communism in south east asia"

• "Contain the rebel movement"

• "Turn back the tide of communism"

19. Place into check

• "He checked my kings"

20. Write out a check on a bank account

21. Find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort

• "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"

22. Verify by consulting a source or authority

• "Check the spelling of this word"

• "Check your facts"

23. Arrest the motion (of something) abruptly

• "He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve"

24. Make cracks or chinks in

• "The heat checked the paint"

25. Become fractured

• Break or crack on the surface only

• "The glass cracked when it was heated"