checkout

1 of 2

noun

check·​out ˈchek-ˌau̇t How to pronounce checkout (audio)
1
: the action or an instance of checking out
… Educators receive new library card privileges, including 100 simultaneous checkoutsAndrew Wilson and Leanne Ellis
When I forget to bring my reusable shopping bags to the store, I ask for a brown paper sack at checkout instead of a plastic one.Claire Haffernean
How much will my final hotel bill be at checkout?Bob Sullivan
often used attributively
a checkout line/counter
2
: the time at which a lodger must vacate a room (as in a hotel) or be charged for retaining it
3
: a counter or area in a store where goods are checked out
4
a
: the action of examining and testing something for performance, suitability, or readiness
b
: the action of familiarizing oneself with the operation of a mechanical thing (such as an airplane)

check out

2 of 2

verb

checked out; checking out; checks out

intransitive verb

1
: to vacate and pay for one's lodging (as at a hotel)
2
: die
3
: to have the cost of purchases totaled and pay the cost
Self-service kiosks—those ATM-like machines that let you check in at the airport or check out at the grocery store all on your own—are sweeping into more retailers and service spots.Barbara Kiviat

transitive verb

1
: to satisfy all requirements in taking away
checked out a library book
2
a
: to itemize and total the cost of and receive payment for (outgoing merchandise) especially in a self-service store
b
: to have the cost totaled and pay for (purchases) at a checkout

Examples of checkout in a Sentence

Noun She paid for the room at checkout. There was a long line at the checkout. Verb check out the house and let me know if you think it's worth buying there are a lot of sights around the world that I want to see before I check out
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The library has a special partnership with the school district where all students are eligible for Student Excel cards that provide limited checkouts and access to resources without a traditional library card. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024 After completing the checkout process, the order is sent to be fulfilled. Erleia, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024 To simplify the checkout process, Target shoppers can save their favorite styles to their wish list to easily add items to their carts when the collection arrives on March 23. Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 Most of our favorite styles are currently on sale, so be sure to head to checkout before the savings disappear. Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 In addition to providing traditional services like book and media checkouts and programming for children, teens and local seniors, the library has expanded over the years to meet the evolving needs of the community. The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024 Within the exhibit space, the visitor experience offers wheelchairs and sensory kits (including fidgets and noise-canceling headphones) for checkout, large-print museum maps, assisted listening devices, ASL tours and program interpretation. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Don’t forget to add the coupon code at checkout and grab your favorites on sale. Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 According to Delish, the first self checkout machine was installed in a Georgia Kroger way back in 1986. Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024
Verb
The department recently acquired 100 portable electronic video magnifiers, at a cost of $1,100 each, that prisoners with low vision can check out to use in their cells. Don Thompson, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024 For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Apr. 2024 For more information about polls and the general election, check out the article below. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Apr. 2024 Browse the museum, hike the trails — the Tower Trail takes you to the site of the long-ago observation tower — then check out the town’s art galleries and murals. Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024 Moments later, Cardi arrived, and the two posed for photos while flipping through the magazine to check out the spread. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2024 Once at the top, hikers can take a seat on one of the benches and check out the 180-degree view, featuring Gillespie Field airport and Mission Trails Regional Park to the west and El Cajon Mountain towering in the distance to the east. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2024 On the way, guests can party in St. Barths, traverse Martinique’s volcanic coral reefs and lush rainforest landscapes, and check out St. Lucia’s picturesque Tobago Cays. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024 So the family checked out the restaurant in December 1976. Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'checkout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1933, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1921, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of checkout was in 1921

Dictionary Entries Near checkout

check on

checkout

check out

Cite this Entry

“Checkout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/checkout. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

checkout

1 of 2 noun
check·​out ˈchek-ˌau̇t How to pronounce checkout (audio)
1
: the action or an instance of checking out
2
: the time at which a lodger must leave a room (as in a hotel)
3
: a counter at which checking out is done

check out

2 of 2 verb
ˈchek-ˈau̇t
1
: to pay for one's room and leave (as from a hotel)
2
: to satisfy requirements for taking away
check a book out at the library
3
a
: to add up the cost of purchases and receive payment for them
b
: to have the cost of purchases added up and pay for them

More from Merriam-Webster on checkout

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