Check Meaning
Check Definition & Usage
To examine something to ensure it is correct, complete, or functioning.
Examples
- "I need to check my emails before the meeting."
- "She checked the tires to make sure they were inflated properly."
- "Before we leave, I’ll check the list one more time."
- "Can you check if the door is locked?"
- "He checked the weather forecast to decide whether to go hiking."
To write or issue a payment document (a check) for an amount of money.
Examples
- "She wrote a check for the rent payment."
- "I’ll check the payment when I get to the office."
- "He gave me a check to cover the expenses."
- "The company issued checks to all its employees."
- "They asked for a check to settle the bill."
A written order directing a bank to pay a specific amount of money from an account.
Examples
- "I deposited the check at the bank today."
- "He handed me a check for the full amount."
- "The check bounced, so we need to find another way to pay."
- "I forgot to sign the check before sending it."
- "She received a check as a gift for her birthday."
In chess, to threaten the opponent's king with capture.
Examples
- "He checked the king with his rook."
- "After moving his knight, she responded with a check to his king."
- "It’s your move—watch out, I’m checking your king."
- "The game ended after a sudden check on his king."
- "You can’t move your king when it’s in check!"
Cultural Context
The word 'check' has a variety of meanings, from its origins in Old French as a term for a 'chessboard' or 'checkered' pattern, to its current uses in banking, general activities, and games. In chess, 'check' denotes a direct attack on the opponent’s king, while in everyday life, it often refers to verifying or confirming something.
The Checkmate
Story
The Checkmate
On a crisp Saturday morning, Sarah sat across the chessboard from her brother, Tim. Both had been playing for hours, their eyes locked in concentration. Sarah had just moved her knight into position, and Tim was studying the board intently, unaware that she had placed his king in check. A gleam of triumph appeared in her eyes as she leaned forward and said, 'Check.' Tim froze. It wasn’t often she won a match, but today was different. He muttered under his breath and carefully examined his next move. Meanwhile, in the real world, Sarah’s mother was in the kitchen checking the family’s schedule for the upcoming week. She glanced at the list she’d made—appointments, meetings, and school activities—and ticked off everything that had been completed so far. Her attention was momentarily interrupted when the phone rang. It was the bank. A check had bounced, and she needed to resolve the payment issue. After a brief conversation, she sighed and returned to the kitchen. She was already planning to check the status of the repairs on the car later that afternoon. Meanwhile, Tim, still deep in thought, moved his rook, declaring, 'Check.' The game wasn’t over yet, but Sarah was determined. The day would end with one of them getting 'checkmate.'
Related Words
