Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

check

1 verb
     
check1 S1 W2
1

find out

[intransitive and transitive] to do something in order to find out whether something really is correct, true, or in good condition:
Check the tiles carefully before you buy them.
A first rule in solving any mystery is to check the facts.
Fill in the cash book carefully and always check your calculations.
check (that)
Check that all the doors are locked securely.
check whether/how/who etc
Let me just check whether the potatoes are cooked.
They paused to check how the other climbers were getting on.
check (something) for something
I checked the typing for errors.
Turn the tap on and check for leaks.
check something against/with something (=compare something with something else to see whether they are the same)
You must check the evidence against other sources and decide if it is reliable.
Positive test results are double checked (=looked at twice) to make absolutely sure.
2

ask somebody

[intransitive and transitive] to ask someone whether something is correct, true, or allowed:
I'm not authorized to give you a refund - I'll have to check first.
check (that)
Make a phone call to check that you're writing to the right person.
check whether/how/who etc
Call the factory to check whether the beds can be delivered today.
check with
Check with your doctor before going on a diet.
3

not do something

[transitive] to suddenly stop yourself from saying or doing something because you realize it would be better not to:
I had to check the urge to laugh out loud.
check yourself
He grinned, and then checked himself, not wanting to upset Jack.
4

stop something

[transitive] to stop something bad from getting worse or continuing to happen:
The police are failing to take adequate measures to check the growth in crime.
5

bags/cases etc

[transitive] American English, check in British EnglishTTA to leave your bags at an official place so they can be put on a plane or a train, or to take someone's bags in order to do this:
Any luggage over five kilos must be checked.
6

make a mark

[transitive] American English to make a mark (✓ ) next to an answer, something on a list etc to show you have chosen it, that it is correct, or that you have dealt with it [= tick British English]
7

Check

spoken especially American English say this when someone mentions each thing on a list, to tell them that you have it or have done it:
'Passport?' 'Check.' 'Ticket?' ' Check'.

check in

phrasal verb
1TTA if you check in or are checked in at a hotel or airport, you go to the desk and report that you have arrived:
Check in two hours before the flight.
check in at
He checked in at the Europa Hotel.
check somebody ↔ in
Airline employees were checking in passengers.
➔ check-in
2

check something ↔ in

to leave your bags at an official place so they can be put on a plane or a train, or to take someone's bags in order to do this:
I said goodbye and went to check in my suitcases.
3 American English to call someone to tell them that you are safe or where you are:
He just called to check in and tell them how he was doing.

check something ↔ off

phrasal verb
to write a mark next to something on a list to show that you have chosen it, dealt with it, or made sure that it is correct:
One by one he checked them off on his register.

check on somebody/something

phrasal verb
1 to make sure that someone or something is safe, is in a satisfactory state, or is doing what they should be doing:
Honey, can you go upstairs and check on the kids?
My neighbour comes in once a week to check on things and feed the fish.
2 to try to find out if something is true or correct:
He wanted to check on the girl's story.

check out

phrasal verb
1

make sure

a)

check something ↔ out

to make sure that something is actually true, correct, or acceptable [= investigate]:
I made a phone call to check out his address.
check something ↔ out with
Check it out with your boss before you do anything.
b) if information checks out, it is proved to be true, correct, or acceptable:
His credit record checks out.
2

look at somebody/something

check somebody/something ↔ out

to look at someone or something because they are interesting or attractive:
If I hear about a website that sounds interesting, I check it out.
Hey, check out that car!
3

get information

check somebody ↔ out

informal to get information about someone, especially to find out if they are suitable for something:
I'll check them out as potential employers.
4

hotel

DLT to leave a hotel after paying the bill:
We checked out at noon.
 ➔ checkout
5

books

check something ↔ out

American English to borrow a book from a library:
The library allows you to check out six books at a time.

check something/somebody ↔ over

phrasal verb
1 to look closely at something to make sure it is correct or acceptable:
They spent the rest of the morning checking over their equipment.
2 to examine someone to make sure they are healthy:
I'd like the doctor to check you over and do a few tests.

check up on somebody/something

phrasal verb
1 to try to find out if someone is doing what they said they would do or what you want them to do:
Don't worry; no-one is going to check up on you.
2 to make sure that something is true or correct:
Dustin called me to check up on some facts.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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