checker

1 of 3

noun (1)

check·​er ˈche-kər How to pronounce checker (audio)
1
archaic : chessboard
2
: a square or spot resembling the markings of a checkerboard
3
[singular of checkers] : 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
Noun
The checker was an overhead camera programmed with AI and machine learning that scanned millions of pizzas to ensure workers had added the correct toppings and distributed them evenly. Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Among the steps was running an integrity checker the company released to detect any compromises. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 1 Feb. 2024 Joining Woods in the core cast is Succession’s J. Smith-Cameron (playing Barb, the co-executive producer), Caitlin Reilly (Fabian, a researcher and fact checker), Charlie Bushnell (Chase, the college intern), and Carl Tart (Carl, the sound engineer). Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 4 Jan. 2024 The look hinges on a white ten-gallon hat and a black-and-silver checker print suit jacket layered a white collared shirt and matching studded shorts cinched with a black YSL belt. Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2024 Grab a drink or a bar bite and play pool, checkers and other games. Katie Toussaint, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 But then our fact checker, Lexi Atiya, found this old report in a sugar trade association’s newsletter. Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 4 Jan. 2024 The Green Web Foundation has a checker for that, as well as a list of green hosting providers across the globe. IEEE Spectrum, 12 Dec. 2023 Old photos on the wall show members of yore at the club’s checkers boards. Ian Shapira, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
Verb
The Coliseum is the patio, which is now lined with white and gray checkered tiles, pink velvet booths and white chairs. The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 Timberlake and Jackson's history is also pretty checkered, dating back to the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime show, which ended up with Timberlake exposing Jackson's breast to millions of people. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 25 Feb. 2024 In the lobby bar of the historic Hotel Chelsea, Segarra showed up wearing a Ganni sweater vest over a worn white tee, checkered baggy pants, and motorcycle boots. Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2024 At the 66th ceremony, she was seen in a custom checkered Louis Vuitton leather studded skirt suit. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 Prior to Saturday, Taylor, the league rushing champ in 2021, hadn’t broken the century mark in a 2023 season checkered by injuries and an ugly-but-ultimately-resolved contract dispute. USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2024 The road to the Oscars is checkered with awards group accolades, but uncertainties still lie ahead. Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 Feb. 2024 The company has policies to counter misinformation, including international teams of fact checkers which evaluate climate science content. Laura Paddison, CNN, 4 Feb. 2024 Donald Trump’s storied business career is checkered by bankruptcies and blunders. Richard Lardner, Fortune, 2 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English cheker, from Anglo-French checker, escheker, from eschec — more at check

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

Dictionary Entries Near checker

Cite this Entry

“Checker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/checker. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

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