Definition of Check

Verb: check chek

Examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
"check the brakes"; "Check out the engine"; "check up on the brakes"; "check over the brakes"; "check into the brakes";
- check up on, look into, check out, suss out [Brit], check over, go over, check into, sus [Brit], suss [Brit]
Make an examination or investigation
"check into the rumour"; "check the time of the class"
Be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
"check that the curtains are closed";
- see, insure, see to it, ensure, control, ascertain, assure
Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
"check your anger";
- control, hold in, hold, contain, curb, moderate
Stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution
"She checked for an instant and missed a step"
Put a check mark on, near or next to
"Please check each name on the list";
- check off, mark, mark off, tick off [Brit, Cdn], tick [Brit]
Slow the growth or development of
"The brain damage will check the child's language development";
- retard, delay
Be verified or confirmed; pass inspection
"These stories don't check!";
- check out
Be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
"The handwriting checks with the signature on the form";
- match, fit, correspond, jibe, gibe, tally, agree, marry up, marry
Block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey
Develop (children's) behaviour by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control
"Parents must check their children";
- discipline, train, condition
Consign for shipment on a vehicle
"check your luggage before boarding"
[N. Amer] Hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping
"Check your coat at the door"
(falconry) abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey
Stop in a chase especially when scent is lost
"The dog checked"
[N. Amer] Mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on
- checker [N. Amer], chequer [Brit, Cdn]
(card game) decline to initiate betting
Hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
"Check the growth of communism in South East Asia";
- turn back, arrest, stop, contain, hold back
(chess) place into check
"He checked my kings"
[US] Write out a check on a bank account
Find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
"Check whether the train leaves on time";
- determine, find out, see, ascertain, watch, learn
Verify by consulting a source or authority
"check the spelling of this word"; "check your facts"
Arrest the motion (of something) abruptly
"He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve"
Make cracks or chinks in
"The heat checked the paint";
- chink
Become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
- crack, break
[N. Amer] Withdraw money by writing a check
- cheque [Brit, Cdn], check out [US]

Noun: check chek

[N. Amer] A written order directing a bank to pay money
"he paid all his bills by check";
- bank check [US], cheque [Brit, Cdn]
An appraisal of the state of affairs
"a check on its dependability under stress";
- assay
[N. Amer] The bill in a restaurant
"he asked the waiter for the check";
- chit, tab
The state of inactivity following an interruption
"held them in check";
- arrest, halt, hitch, stay, stop, stoppage
Additional proof that something that was believed (some fact, hypothesis or theory) is correct
- confirmation, verification, substantiation
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
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 [Brit]
Something that interferes with (or delays) action or progress
- hindrance, hinderance, deterrent, impediment, balk, baulk [Brit], handicap
A mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something
- chip
A textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)
"she wore a skirt with checks"
The act of restraining power, action or limiting excess
"his common sense is a check to his quick temper";
- bridle, curb
Obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
(chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king