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
For files, any C2PA-aware tool can read the file credentials, with the company promising its own checker. — New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026 For checkers, cover 1-inch wood disks with two colors of duct tape, 12 of each color. — Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
That experience is critical considering both players ahead of him have checkered health histories. — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Destin Conrad was checkered out in a matching jacket and shorts set, topped off with a big beret. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 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 entry 1

Note: Early uses are inseparable from early instances of checkered entry 1, 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 Words

checkdown
checker
checkerbelly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Checker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/checker. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

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