check-in

1 of 2

noun

ˈchek-ˌin 

: an act or instance of checking in

check in

2 of 2

verb

checked in; checking in; checks in

intransitive verb

1

: to register at a hotel

When you arrive at the hotel, please check in at the front desk.

Once we've checked in and dropped off our luggage, we'll meet you in the lobby.

A regular at MGM Resorts properties, she uses her phone to pull up the M Life smartphone app, where she can check in remotely.

—Bryan Horwath

2

: to report one's presence or arrival

check in at a convention

Airlines may also require passengers to submit documentation for their service animals at least 48 hours in advance of the date of travel. But those passengers will now be allowed to check in online instead of in person.

—Chicago Tribune

3

US : to find out or report the status of someone or something especially as part of a regular pattern of communication or monitoring

She checks in with her boss/team every Friday.

I'm just checking in to find out how your doctor's appointment went.

Asking for feedback can definitely be scary, but it's good to check in and get some constructive criticism on how you're doing.

—Nancy Valev

—often followed by on or with

I'm just checking in with you to find out how your doctor's appointment went.

All parents should have a system where they check in with their kids frequently.

—James Lehman

He will be required to check in with a probation officer every week at the outset, and undergo drug and alcohol testing and complete psychological counseling.

—Cory Schaffer

During the early afternoon, Mrs. Ruane … checked in on the patient who had returned from her procedure.

—Pohla Smith

"… Millions of Americans use social media every day to check in on friends and family, learn about current events, and share their experiences online. … "

—Shayne Adamski

"… But, Shirley, thank you so much. I'll check in with you again as the story unfolds, OK?"

—Drew Pinsky

We access our work email on our phones, catch up on messages during our commutes and even when we're out at lunch, check in on work before bed—some of us feel like we have to just to be good employees.

—Alan Henry

… suggests … setting up Remote Desktop so that you can check in on the systems from afar …

—Andrew Cunningham

transitive verb

: to satisfy all requirements in returning

check in the equipment after using

Examples of check-in in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Frequent check-ins and iterative improvements can keep teams aligned. —Rohit Anabheri, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Kelly brought with him from Notre Dame an accountability system for the players, which rewards and penalizes things such as timeliness, dress code, health and wellness check-ins and taking nutritional supplements. —Bruce Feldman, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024

The group had great morale and communication, with quarterly in-person check-ins for the principal investigators to compare notes, and annual retreats for the academic research teams. —IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2024

Luggage tracking: Check with airlines, many of which have apps for tracking after check-in. —David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1927, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

check-in

1 of 2 noun

ˈchek-ˈin

: an act or instance of checking in

check in

2 of 2 verb

1

: to register at a hotel or motel

2

: to report one's presence or arrival

3

: to bring back : return

checked in the equipment