# check in

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/check-in
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. at a hotel or airport

phrasal verb · CEFR A2

to show your ticket or passport and get your room key or boarding pass.

For teachers: to register one's arrival at a hotel, airport, or clinic. Intransitive or transitive with 'at'.

- We need to check in at the hotel before we go out for dinner.
- Passengers are advised to check in at least three hours before their international flight to allow sufficient time for security screenings.

### 2. to contact someone

phrasal verb · CEFR B1

to talk to someone to see if they are okay or to tell them where you are.

For teachers: to make contact with someone to provide an update or to monitor their status. Often used with the preposition 'with'.

- I'll check in with you tomorrow morning to see how the project is going.
- The social worker promised to check in with the family twice a week to ensure the recovery process was proceeding as planned.

### 3. computing

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · Technical

to save a new version of your work into a shared computer system.

For teachers: to commit or upload updated files to a central repository in a version control system.

- Don't forget to check in your code before you leave for the weekend.
- The lead developer requested that all team members check in their final revisions by midnight to prepare for the morning deployment.

### 4. public transport

phrasal verb · CEFR B1

to tap your travel card on a reader when you start a journey.

For teachers: to validate a smartcard or ticket at the start of a journey on public transport. Common in European contexts.

- You must check in with your card at the yellow post before getting on the train.
- Commuters who fail to check in at the station entrance may be liable for a fine even if they possess a valid monthly pass.

## Examples

- You must check in two hours before the flight.
- Let's go to the hotel first to check in and drop off our bags.
- After the long journey, the tour group was relieved to finally check in at the resort and receive their room assignments for the week.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: Contrast 'check in' (register arrival) with 'check out' (register departure) and 'check on' (inquire about someone's well-being).

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.