check1

verb

• 1examine (something) in order to determine its accuracy, quality, or condition, or to detect the presence of something:customs officers have the right to check all luggage [no object]:a simple blood test to check for anemia
• verify or establish to one’s satisfaction:check the expiration date on your passport [with clause]:she glanced over her shoulder to check that the door was shut
• (check against) verify the accuracy of something by comparing it with (something else):keep your receipt to check against your statement
• North Americananother way of saying check something off.
• North Americananother way of saying check something in.
• [no object] agree or correspond when compared.
• informal look at; take notice of:check the remix

• 2stop or slow down the progress of (something undesirable):efforts were made to check the disease
• curb or restrain (a feeling or emotion):he learned to check his excitement
• Hockey hamper or neutralize (an opponent) with one’s body or stick.
• [no object] (check against) provide a means of preventing:processes to check against deterioration in the quality of the data held
• [no object] (of a hound) pause to make sure of or regain a scent.
• [no object] (of a trained hawk) abandon the intended quarry and fly after other prey.

• 3 [with object] Chess move a piece or pawn so that (the opposing king) is under attack.

• 4 [no object] (in poker) choose not to make a bet when called upon, allowing the action to move to another player.

noun

• 1an examination to test or ascertain accuracy, quality, or satisfactory condition:a campaign calling for regular checks on gas appliances a health check

• 2a stopping or slowing of progress:there was no check to the expansion of the market
• a means of control or restraint:a permanent check upon the growth or abuse of central authority
• Hockey an act of hampering or neutralizing an opponent with one’s body or stick.
• a temporary loss of the scent in hunting.
• Falconry a false stoop when a hawk abandons its intended quarry and pursues other prey.
• a part of a piano that catches the hammer and prevents it from retouching the strings.

• 3 Chess a move by which a piece or pawn directly attacks the opponent’s king. If the defending player cannot counter the attack, the king is checkmated.

• 4North American the bill in a restaurant.
• (also baggage/luggage check) a token of identification for left luggage.
• a counter used as a stake in a gambling game.

• 5short for check mark.

• 6a crack or flaw in timber.

exclamation

• 1 informal, chiefly North American expressing assent or agreement.

• 2used by a chess player to announce that the opponent’s king has been placed in check.