check

- definition

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Thesaurus

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noun

/tʃek/

singular	check
plural	checks

1
[countable] an examination of something to find out whether it is as it should be
check for:
a check for spelling errors
check on:
They do routine checks on the condition of the planes.
make a check:
He made a final check of the doors to be sure they were locked.
do a check:
They’ll be running a sound check before the concert.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of check
1. a.
  an examination of someone to find out whether they are healthy
  check for:
  a routine check for skin cancer
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of check
2. b.
  an examination by the police, army, etc. of an area, or people or vehicles passing through an area, in order to be certain that there is no danger or illegal activity
  Airport police later confirmed that the courier had managed to pass through the security check without being detected.
  check on:
  They run a police check on all applicants for a gun license.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of check
See also spot check
Collocations: check
▪ final, random, regular, routine, stringent, thorough
2
[countable] one of the pieces of printed paper that your bank gives you so you can pay for things without using money
check for:
a check for $50
by check (=with a check):
Can I pay by check?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of check
3
[countable] something that controls another thing and stops it from becoming worse, too powerful, etc.
check on:
Economic forces act as a check on political power.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of check
4
[countable] American a piece of paper that you are given in a restaurant showing you how much money you owe. Another word for this is bill, which is the usual British word
How much is the check?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of check
5
[countable] American a mark ✓ that you put next to something to show that it is correct or that you have dealt with it. The British word is tick.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of check
6
[countable/uncountable] a pattern of squares, usually of two colors
a sheet with red and white checks
He was wearing a check shirt.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of check
7
[uncountable] the position of the king in the game of chess when it is threatened by another piece
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of check

phrase

keep/hold someone/something in check
to control someone or something that might cause damage or harm
Attempts to hold global warming in check are being made by many countries.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of check

This is the American English definition of check. View British English definition of check.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

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