26984 words

checks

45 definitions • 91 examples
1
to make certain that something or someone is correct, safe, or suitable by examining it, him, or her quickly:

Examples:

You should always check your oil, water, and tyres before taking your car on a long trip.
check something for something Customs stopped us and checked (= searched) our bags for alcohol and cigarettes.
After I'd finished the exam, I checked my answers for mistakes.
check for The doctor may do blood tests to check for parasites.
check on The doctor will call next week to check on your progress.
I check on (= visit) our elderly neighbour every few days to make sure that he's all right.
[ + (that) ] I always check (that) I've shut the windows before I leave the house.
2
to find out about something:

Examples:

[ + question word ] I called them yesterday to check when they were arriving.
[ + to infinitive ] If you're near the garage, could you check to see (= ask) if the car's ready?
check with If you're unsure of your legal rights, I would check with (= ask) a lawyer.
3
to stop someone from doing or saying something, or to prevent something from increasing or continuing:

Examples:

They have begun to vaccinate children in an attempt to check the spread of the disease.
4
to give your bags to airport employees to be put on a plane for you, rather than carrying them on and off the plane yourself:

Examples:

5
to leave something with someone at a particular place, so that they can take care of it for a short time:

Examples:

It was hot so we checked our coats before going round the gallery.
6
If information checks, it agrees with other information:

Examples:

check with Her statement checks with most of the eye-witness reports.
7
to mark something with a check:

Examples:

Check the box next to your name and click OK.
8
in the game of chess, to put the other player's king under direct attack, so that he or she is forced to defend against the attack in the next move
9
in some sports such as ice hockey, to hit or push another player in order to try to make that player lose the ball or puck:

Examples:

He checked Stevens into the boards and stole the puck.
If you check a player too hard, you might injure that person or get penalized for it.
10
an examination of something in order to make certain that it is correct or the way it should be:

Examples:

give something a check The soldiers gave their equipment a final check before setting off.
have a check UK "I can't find my keys." "Have another check in/through your jacket pockets."
run a check The pilot runs a few checks before taking off.
check on I'll just run a check on (= find information about) that name for you in the computer.
keep a check on It's my job to keep a check on stock levels.
security check Security checks have become really strict at the airport.
spot check The police are carrying out spot checks on (= quick examinations of a limited number of) drivers over the Christmas period to test for alcohol levels.
11
US spelling of
12
a pattern of squares in two or more colours:

Examples:

a shirt with a pattern of blue and yellow checks
I chose the red and white check.
She covered the bed in a blue and white check blanket.
a grey check suit
13
a

Examples:

Can I have the check, please?
14
to limit something:

Examples:

We need to find ways of keeping our expenditure in check.
15
rules intended to prevent one person or group from having too much power within an organization:

Examples:

A system of checks and balances exists to ensure that our government is truly democratic.
16
a mark (✓) that shows that something is correct or has been done:

Examples:

Put a check by the names of the people who have accepted the invitation.
17
in chess, the act of directly attacking the other player's king:

Examples:

I think I should have given check (= attacked my opponent's king) at move 23 instead of trying to find a safer square for the rook.
18
If your king is in check in chess, it is being directly attacked by the other player:

Examples:

Your king is in check from my knight.
If your king is in check, you must make a move that protects it.
I couldn't take her bishop because I was in check.
He moved his queen and put his opponent's king in check.
You must not make any move that would put your king in check.
19
in some sports such as ice hockey, a move in which a player tries to prevent an opponent from scoring by hitting or pushing them to try to make them lose the ball or puck:

Examples:

The check that he levelled on Branson was perfectly legal according to the rules of the game.
The referee awarded a penalty kick for an illegal check on McCann.
20
used to say yes to someone who is making certain that all the things on a list have been dealt with or included:

Examples:

"Did you bring your sleeping bag?" "Check." "Pillow?" "Check."
21
something you say in chess, if you directly attack the other player's king
22
to look at or give your attention to something to get information, often to help you decide if something is correct, safe, or suitable:

Examples:

[ + to infinitive ] Check to see what the weather is like outside.
[ T ] I brought the car to the garage to have the brakes checked.
[ T ] We checked our records for any information about him.
[ I ] We have a claim for lost luggage, and we are checking into it.
[ T ] The doctors checked his heart and said it was fine.
[ T ] Before you hand in your papers, check your spelling.
23
to stop someone from doing or saying something, or to prevent something from increasing or continuing:

Examples:

He started to interrupt but checked himself and said nothing.
The program is designed to check the spread of malaria.
24
to leave your outer clothing or property temporarily in the care of someone else, usually as a convenience:

Examples:

Let’s check our coats before going through the galleries.
Passengers on this flight will be allowed one carry-on bag, and will have to check any additional bags.
25
to mark items to show your preferences:

Examples:

Check the box corresponding to the correct answer to each question.
26
a printed form, used instead of money, to make payments from your bank account:

Examples:

I’ve got to cash my pay check.
She wrote me a check for $120.
27
a pattern made of different colored squares, or one of these squares:

Examples:

The shirt has a pattern of blue and yellow checks.
28
a sign (✓) that shows that something is correct or done or has been examined:

Examples:

Put a check next to the names of the people who have already paid for their tickets.
29
a request for payment of money owed to a restaurant, or the piece of paper on which it is written:

Examples:

Waiter, may I have the check, please?
30
the act of looking at or giving your attention to something to get information, often to help you decide if something is correct, safe, or suitable:

Examples:

The FBI did a thorough background check on him (= looked into his past experience and relationships).
31
a way to stop someone from doing or saying something, or to prevent something from increasing or continuing:

Examples:

New rules would put a check on rising interest rates.
32
the ticket or small object that you are given and that you use to get back your coat or other personal possessions left in the care of someone else for a short period:

Examples:

I thought I put the coat check in my pocket.
33
to make certain that something or someone is correct, safe, or suitable, for example by examining it or them, or by asking someone:

Examples:

When the shipment arrived, she checked to make sure nothing was broken.
A security officer checked our bags at the entrance to the building.
I'd like to check my bank balance, please.
check on sth The supervisor will check on your progress next week.
check (sth) for sth Always check your reports for spelling errors before you hand them in.
check (sth) with sb Please could you check the figures with the sales manager?
check that Check that you have all the necessary documentation before you travel.
34
to prevent something from increasing or continuing:

Examples:

Our first priority is to control public spending and check inflation.
We tried to check the spread of the rumour that the company was being sold.
35
to leave something with someone at a particular place, so that they can take care of it for a short time, or so it can be put on a plane or train:

Examples:

Please check your coats at the coatroom prior to the meeting.
He checked his baggage as soon as he got to the airport.
These articles may only be carried in checked baggage.
36
to make a mark next to an item on a list, or to click on a checkbox on a computer screen in order to make a choice:

Examples:

Please check the box above to agree to our terms and conditions.
37
if information checks, it makes it likely that other information is true:

Examples:

check with sth Her statement checks with most of the eye-witness reports.
38
→
39
→

Examples:

Put a check beside each item that you wish to order.
40
an examination of something in order to make certain that it is correct or the way that it should be:

Examples:

give sth a check Give the invoice another check before you seal the carton.
carry out/do a check (on/of sth) They carried out a check of all the electrical equipment.
regular/routine check A regular check is done on all our equipment.
quick/thorough check All these documents will need a thorough check before you send them off.
keep a check on sth It's my job to keep a check on stock levels.
Security checks at airports have become very strict.
41
an examination of somebody to see if they are healthy or have a medical problem:

Examples:

health/medical check Purchasers of the policy will be required to undergo a medical check.
42
a piece of paper given to you when you have finished eating at a restaurant, showing how much money you owe:

Examples:

Can we have the check, please?
43
something that stops something else from increasing or getting worse:

Examples:

keep a check on sth The new administration is expected to keep a tight check on inflation.
act/serve as a check on sth These controls are designed to act as a check on fraud.
44
to put a limit on something so that it does not increase or become worse:

Examples:

We must find ways of keeping our expenditure in check.
45
rules intended to prevent one person or group from having too much power within a country or an organization:

Examples:

A system of checks and balances exists to ensure that our government is truly democratic.
Many executives amassed enormous power by ignoring the normal checks and balances of the financial world.

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