2check noun
plural checks 1 [count] : the act or process of looking at or examining something to find out information or see if there is anything wrong with it
▪ Please give the schedule a check to see if the times are correct. ▪ I gave the ingredients list a quick check to see if the cereal contained any sugar. ▪ She ran/did a quick check of the computer to make sure it was working properly. ▪ They did a sound check [=tested the sound equipment] before the concert. ▪ All government employees are subject to a security check. [=all government employees are investigated to see if they can be trusted] ▪ You should keep a close check on your blood pressure. [=you should watch your blood pressure closely] ▪ The police ran a check on the license plate and found out that the car had been stolen. 2 [count] a : something that stops or limits another thing — usually + on ▪ a system that acts/serves as a check on the governor's power [=a system that limits the governor's power] ▪ The store hired a guard to put a check on shoplifting. [=to reduce or stop shoplifting] ▪ The government has lowered interest rates in an attempt to put a check on inflation. — see also checks and balances
b hockey : an act of hitting or stopping a player in order to steal the ball or puck, defend a goal, etc.
▪ He was penalized for an illegal check. ▪ a hip check [=an act of hitting by bumping with the hips] 3 US check or Brit cheque [count] : a piece of paper that is used to make a payment to someone using the money in a bank account
▪ He made out the check to me and signed it, and I deposited it in my account. ▪ Do you want to pay in cash, by check, or by credit card? ▪ write/cash/draw a check — compare money order; see also blank check, traveler's check 4 [count] US : a bill for the food and drinks that are served in a restaurant
▪ She asked the waiter for the check. 5 a [count] US : a mark √ that is used to show that something (such as an item on a list) has been noted, done, etc. —called also (US) check mark (chiefly Brit) tick
b informal — used in speech to say that something has been noted, done, etc. ▪ “So you'll be here at 6 o'clock on the dot.” “Check.” [=yes, I will be here at 6 o'clock] ▪ “Do you have the camera?” “Check.” “The umbrella?” “Check.” 6 [count] US a : a room in a restaurant, theater, etc., where you can leave something that you do not want to carry or wear
▪ He left his coat at the coat check. [=checkroom, coatroom, (chiefly Brit) cloakroom] ▪ a hat check ▪ When she was younger she worked as a coat-check/hat-check girl. [=a woman whose job is to take and return the things that people leave in a checkroom]
b : a ticket that is given to you when you leave something (such as a hat or a coat) that you will return for later
▪ a baggage check — see also rain check 7 [noncount] : a situation in the game of chess in which a player's king can be captured on the opponent's next turn and must be protected or moved
▪ He moved his bishop and said, “Check!” to show that my king was in check. — compare checkmate
▪ Please give the schedule a check to see if the times are correct. ▪ I gave the ingredients list a quick check to see if the cereal contained any sugar. ▪ She ran/did a quick check of the computer to make sure it was working properly. ▪ They did a sound check [=tested the sound equipment] before the concert. ▪ All government employees are subject to a security check. [=all government employees are investigated to see if they can be trusted] ▪ You should keep a close check on your blood pressure. [=you should watch your blood pressure closely] ▪ The police ran a check on the license plate and found out that the car had been stolen.
b hockey : an act of hitting or stopping a player in order to steal the ball or puck, defend a goal, etc.
▪ He was penalized for an illegal check. ▪ a hip check [=an act of hitting by bumping with the hips]
▪ He made out the check to me and signed it, and I deposited it in my account. ▪ Do you want to pay in cash, by check, or by credit card? ▪ write/cash/draw a check — compare money order; see also blank check, traveler's check
▪ She asked the waiter for the check.
b informal — used in speech to say that something has been noted, done, etc. ▪ “So you'll be here at 6 o'clock on the dot.” “Check.” [=yes, I will be here at 6 o'clock] ▪ “Do you have the camera?” “Check.” “The umbrella?” “Check.”
▪ He left his coat at the coat check. [=checkroom, coatroom, (chiefly Brit) cloakroom] ▪ a hat check ▪ When she was younger she worked as a coat-check/hat-check girl. [=a woman whose job is to take and return the things that people leave in a checkroom]
b : a ticket that is given to you when you leave something (such as a hat or a coat) that you will return for later
▪ a baggage check — see also rain check
▪ He moved his bishop and said, “Check!” to show that my king was in check. — compare checkmate
cut a check — see 1cut
in check
: under control — used with keep or hold ▪ He's trying to hold his emotions in check. [=he is trying to control his emotions] ▪ The government has lowered interest rates in an attempt to keep inflation in check.
— compare 3check
