# checkout

/ˈtʃɛˌkaʊt/ (US) · /tʃˈɛkaʊt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/checkout
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. supermarket counter

noun · CEFR A2

the place in a shop where you pay for your goods.

For teachers: the physical counter or station in a retail establishment where items are scanned and payment is processed.

- The line at the checkout was very long because only one person was working.
- The supermarket recently installed several self-service checkouts to reduce the congestion typically seen during the evening rush hour.

### 2. online payment process

noun · CEFR B1

the steps you take to pay for items in an online shop.

For teachers: the sequence of digital steps required to confirm an order and complete a financial transaction on an e-commerce platform.

- I had three items in my basket, but I decided to leave before reaching the checkout.
- The website's checkout process was streamlined to allow returning customers to complete their purchases with a single click.

### 3. leaving a hotel

noun · CEFR A2

the process of paying your bill and leaving a hotel room.

For teachers: the administrative procedure of vacating a hotel room and settling the final account.

- Checkout is at eleven o'clock, so we have time for a quick breakfast.
- The hotel offers an express checkout service for business travellers who need to depart before the reception desk opens at dawn.

### 4. a test or inspection

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

a test to make sure a machine or system is working correctly.

For teachers: a systematic inspection or functional test of a piece of equipment or a complex system.

- The engineers performed a final checkout of the aircraft's engines before the flight.
- A rigorous pre-launch checkout of the communication systems is mandatory to ensure the safety of the mission.

## Examples

- The line at the checkout is very long today.
- After adding the items to your digital cart, click the checkout button to enter your shipping details.
- Optimizing the checkout experience is critical for online retailers, as any technical friction during the final payment stage can lead to high rates of cart abandonment.

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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.