checker

1 of 3

noun (1)

check·​er ˈche-kər How to pronounce checker (audio)
Synonyms of checkernext
1
archaic : chessboard
2
: a square or spot resembling the markings of a checkerboard
3
: a piece in checkers

checker

2 of 3

verb

checkered; checkering ˈche-k(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce checker (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: to variegate with different colors or shades
b
: to vary with contrasting elements or situations
2
: to mark into squares

checker

3 of 3

noun (2)

1
: one that checks
a fact checker
2
: an employee who checks out purchases in a self-service store

Examples of checker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
These virtual assistants are evolving far beyond basic symptom checkers, offering an integrated approach that can track our wellness across various aspects of life. —Check Warner Mbe, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 In: Elon Musk Department of Government Efficiency Donald Trump Laura Doan Laura Doan is a fact checker for CBS News Confirmed. —Laura Doan, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
Looking for a solution, English artist Norman Wilkinson approached Britain’s King George V with models of ships adorned in zig-zag and checkered patterns in shades of gray, black, white, green, orange, and blue. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025 Related article Meta is getting rid of fact checkers. —Clare Duffy, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for checker

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English cheker, escheker "chessboard, table covered in a cloth marked out in squares for counting money, the Exchequer," borrowed from Anglo-French eschecker, from eschec "situation of being in check in chess" (in plural escheks, eschez "game of chess") + -er -er entry 2 — more at check entry 2

Note: Compare Medieval Latin scaccārium "chessboard," a latinization of escheker, unless the latter is a vernacularization of the Latin form. Sense 3 is a back-formation from checkers.

Verb

derivative of checker;1

Note: Early uses are inseparable from early instances of checkered, which could be taken as past participles of this verb.

Noun (2)

check entry 1 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of checker was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing checker

Rhymes for checker

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Browse Nearby Words

checkdown
checker
checkerbelly
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Cite this Entry

“Checker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/checker. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

checker

1 of 3 noun
check·​er ˈchek-ər How to pronounce checker (audio)
1
: a square resembling the markings on a checkerboard
2
: a piece in the game of checkers

checker

2 of 3 verb
checkered; checkering -(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce checker (audio)
: to mark with squares of different colors
a checkered tablecloth

checker

3 of 3 noun
: one that checks
especially : an employee who checks out purchases in a supermarket
Etymology

Noun

Middle English cheker "checker (square), board on which chess is played," from early French checker, escheker "board for playing chess," from eschec "a check (in chess), attack" — related to check, chess

More from Merriam-Webster on checker

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for checker

Nglish: Translation of checker for Spanish Speakers

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