Definition of Check

Noun

• (chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king
  
• obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
  
• the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
  "his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper"
  bridle curb
• a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)
  "she wore a skirt with checks"
  
• a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something
  chip
• something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
  hindrance hinderance deterrent impediment balk baulk handicap
• 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"
  - check mark tick
• the act of inspecting or verifying
  "they made a check of their equipment"
  "the pilot ran through the check-out procedure"
  checkout - check out procedure
• additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct
  "fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory"
  confirmation verification substantiation
• 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"
  arrest halt hitch stay stop stoppage
• the bill in a restaurant
  "he asked the waiter for the check"
  chit tab
• an appraisal of the state of affairs
  "they made an assay of the contents"
  "a check on its dependability under stress"
  assay
• a written order directing a bank to pay money
  "he paid all his bills by check"
  - bank check cheque

Verb

• become fractured
  break or crack on the surface only
  "The glass cracked when it was heated"
  crack break
• make cracks or chinks in
  "The heat checked the paint"
  chink
• arrest the motion (of something) abruptly
  "He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve"
  
• verify by consulting a source or authority
  "check the spelling of this word"
  "check your facts"
  
• 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"
  determine - find out see ascertain watch learn
• write out a check on a bank account
  
• place into check
  "He checked my kings"
  
• 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"
  - turn back arrest stop contain - hold back
• decline to initiate betting
  
• mark into squares or draw squares on
  draw crossed lines on
  checker chequer
• stop in a chase especially when scent is lost
  "The dog checked"
  
• abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey
  
• hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping
  "Check your coat at the door"
  
• consign for shipment on a vehicle
  "check your luggage before boarding"
  
• develop (children's) behavior by instruction and practice
  especially to teach self-control
  "Parents must discipline their children"
  "Is this dog trained?"
  discipline train condition
• block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey
  
• 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"
  match fit correspond jibe gibe tally agree
• be verified or confirmed
  pass inspection
  "These stories don't check!"
  - check out
• slow the growth or development of
  "The brain damage will retard the child's language development"
  retard delay
• 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"
  - check off mark - mark off - tick off tick
• stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution
  "She checked for an instant and missed a step"
  
• 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"
  control - hold in hold contain curb moderate
• 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"
  see insure - see to it ensure control ascertain assure
• make an examination or investigation
  "check into the rumor"
  "check the time of the class"
  
• examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
  "check the brakes"
  "Check out the engine"
  - check up on - look into - check out - suss out - check over - go over - check into

• Scrabble® score of the check (16)
• Word Chums® score of the check (23)
• Words With Friends® score of the check (17)