checkpoint

noun

check·​point ˈchek-ˌpȯint How to pronounce checkpoint (audio)
: a point at which a check is performed
vehicles were inspected at various checkpoints

Examples of checkpoint in a Sentence

Our car was stopped at a police checkpoint before we were permitted to cross the border.
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.
It was not immediately known how many people were at the border checkpoint building when the floods hit. — Niranjan Shrestha, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Police said the checkpoint location was selected based on data identifying areas where impaired-driving crashes occurred. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Each checkpoint, meaning from 30 days to 60 days and then finally 90 days delinquent, causes a sharper drop in your credit score, with the 90-day target having the largest impact. — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 The system saves checkpoints during training so developers can compare different versions instead of automatically selecting the final model. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for checkpoint

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of checkpoint was in 1889

Rhymes for checkpoint

See All Rhymes for checkpoint

Browse Nearby Words

check pinochle
checkpoint
check protector
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

checkpoint

noun
check·​point ˈchek-ˌpȯint How to pronounce checkpoint (audio)
: a point at which a check is carried out
vehicles were inspected at different checkpoints

Legal Definition

checkpoint

noun
check·​point
: a point at which an inspection or investigation is performed
a checkpoint to uncover drunk drivers
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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