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
In: Federal Aviation Administration DEI Donald Trump FAA Laura Doan Laura Doan is a fact checker for CBS News Confirmed. —Laura Doan, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2025 And for the homebodies, chess, checkers, puzzles, and games provide entertainment by the fire, while their library invites you to sit down and stay awhile. —Ariel Okin, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
Related article Meta is getting rid of fact checkers. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025 With drivers battling for bragging rights and early-season momentum, expect plenty of action from green flag to checkered. —David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 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

See All Rhymes for checker

Browse Nearby Entries

checker
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Cite this Entry

“Checker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/checker. Accessed 1 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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