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Definition of check noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

check

noun
 
 
/tʃek/
 
/tʃek/
Idioms
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    examination

  1.  
     [countable] an act of making sure that something is safe, correct or in good condition by examining it
    • Could you give the tyres a check?
    • I went for a health check before going on the trip.
    • The drugs were found in their car during a routine check by police.
    • I'll just have a quick check to see if the letter's arrived yet.
    • check of something She had a thorough check of the room, but nothing had been taken.
    • check for something a check for spelling mistakes
    • check on something It is vital to keep a check on your speed (= look at it regularly in order to control it).
    • I did a final check on the seating arrangements.
    • check with somebody A check with the doctor confirmed his fears.
    • A spokesperson said the company made regular checks with the police and the council.
    see also cross-check, double-check, fact-check, health check, reality check, spot check
    Extra Examples
    • A thorough check is made before the luggage is put on the plane.
    • I did a quick visual check of the engine.
    • I have to go for a dental check.
    • Police are keeping a close check on the house.
    • a routine check on the factory
    • I had a last-minute check to see if the email had arrived.
    • Regular safety checks are conducted on the equipment used in the factory.
    Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintya2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • complete
    • extensive
    • full
    • …
    verb + check
    • carry out
    • complete
    • conduct
    • …
    preposition
    • check on
    See full entry
    2.

    investigation

  2.  
     [countable] an investigation to find out more information about somebody/something
    • The agency insisted all the necessary background checks had been carried out.
    • Security checks were causing long delays at border crossings.
    • check on somebody/something The police ran a check on the registration number of the car.
    • Was any check made on Mr Morris when he applied for the post?
    • We're running a police check on all applicants for the job.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • complete
    • extensive
    • full
    • …
    verb + check
    • carry out
    • complete
    • conduct
    • …
    preposition
    • check on
    See full entry
    3.

    mark

  3.  
    (also check mark)
    (both especially North American English)
    (British English usually tick)
    [countable] a mark (✓) put next to a sum or an item on a list, usually to show that it has been checked or done or is correct
    • The teacher put a check next to his name.
    • If there are no checks in the boxes, you have successfully unsubscribed.
    • Place a check beside each characteristic that you feel that you possess.
    compare cross, X
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • complete
    • extensive
    • full
    • …
    verb + check
    • carry out
    • complete
    • conduct
    • …
    preposition
    • check on
    See full entry
    4.

    money

  4.  
     [countable] (North American English)
    (also bill especially in British English)
    a piece of paper that shows how much you have to pay for the food and drinks that you have had in a restaurant
    • Can I have the check, please?
    • Tess asked for the check and handed the waiter a credit card.
    • I paid the check for the dinner.
    Synonyms billbillaccount ▪ invoice ▪ checkThese are all words for a record of how much you owe for goods or services you have bought or used.bill a list of goods that you have bought or services that you have used, showing how much you owe; the price or cost of something:
    • the gas bill
    account an arrangement with a shop or business to pay bills for goods or services at a later time, for example in regular amounts every month:
    • Put it on my account please.
    invoice (rather formal) a bill for goods that somebody has bought or work that has been done for somebody:
    • The builders sent an invoice for £250.
     bill or invoice?You would get a bill in a restaurant, bar or hotel; from a company that supplies you with gas, electricity, etc.; or from somebody whose property you have damaged. An invoice is for goods supplied or work done as agreed between a customer and supplier.check (North American English) a piece of paper that shows how much you have to pay for the food and drinks that you have had in a restaurant:
    • Can I have the check, please?
    In British English the usual word for this is bill.    Patterns
    • the bill/​invoice/​check for something
    • to pay/​settle a(n) bill/​account/​invoice/​check
    • to put something on the/​somebody’s bill/​account/​invoice/​check
    Topics Cooking and eatinga2
    Extra Examples
    • The waiter handed me the check for my meal.
    • Uncle Louie picked up the dinner check.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • dinner
    verb + check
    • have
    • pay
    • pick up
    • …
    preposition
    • check for
    See full entry
  5. [countable] (US English)
    (British English cheque)
    a printed form that you can write on and sign as a way of paying for something instead of using money see also cashier's check, personal checkTopics Moneyb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • dinner
    verb + check
    • have
    • pay
    • pick up
    • …
    preposition
    • check for
    See full entry
    6.

    control

  6. [countable] check (on/to something) (formal) something that delays the progress of something else or stops it from getting worse
    • A cold spring will provide a natural check on the number of insects.
    • the most fundamental check to the power of the British monarchy
    see also body check
    Extra Examples
    • The House of Commons became the most fundamental check to the power of the British monarchy.
    • Leaving some fields fallow provided a natural check on insect populations.
    • The law acts as a check on people's actions.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • natural
    verb + check
    • act as
    • provide
    • hold something in
    • …
    preposition
    • check on
    See full entry
  7. checks
     [plural] (formal) rules that are designed to control the amount of power, especially political power, that one person or group has see also checks and balances

    8. pattern

  8. [countable, uncountable] a pattern of squares, usually of two colours
    • Do you prefer checks or stripes?
    • a check shirt/suit
    • a yellow and red check skirt
    see also checked
    Wordfinder
    Topics Clothes and Fashionc1

    9. for coats/bags

  9. [countable] (North American English) coat check a place in a club, restaurant, etc. where you can leave your coat or bag
  10. [countable] (North American English) a ticket that you get when you leave your coat, bag, etc. in, for example, a restaurant or theatre

    11. in game

  11. [uncountable] (in chess) a position in which a player’s king (= the most important piece) can be directly attacked by the other player’s pieces
    • There, you're in check.
    see also checkmateTopics Games and toysc2
    12. Word Originnoun senses 1 to 4 and noun senses 6 to 10 Middle English (originally as used in the game of chess): the noun and exclamation from Old French eschec, from medieval Latin scaccus, via Arabic from Persian šāh ‘king’; the verb from Old French eschequier ‘play chess, put in check’. The sense ‘stop or control’ arose from the use in chess, and led (in the late 17th cent.) to ‘examine the accuracy of’. noun sense 5 late Middle English: probably from chequer, a pattern of squares, usually alternately coloured.
Idioms
hold/keep something in check
  1. to keep something under control so that it does not spread or get worse
    • Maggie managed to keep her temper in check.
    • The epidemic was held in check by widespread vaccination.
    • You need to keep your temper in check!
take a rain check (on something)
  1. (especially North American English, informal) to refuse an offer or invitation but say that you might accept it later
    • ‘Are you coming out with us?’ ‘Can I take a rain check?—I must get this finished tonight.’
See check in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee check in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: check

Nearby words

alloy
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Physics and chemistry
C2
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