check box

or check·box

[ chek boks ]

noun

1. an outline of a square on a paper or digital form that can be marked to indicate that the person marking it chooses or agrees with a certain statement, answer, etc.:

   Put an X in the check box beside the sentence that best describes your experience.

Word History and Origins

Origin of check box¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

“I didn’t want you guys to check box scores and wonder why he wasn’t in Tacoma today or tomorrow,” Hollander said.

From Seattle Times

Mr Netanyahu earlier this year brushed aside Palestinian concessions as a "check box" exercise that wouldn't be part of any substantive American-brokered discussions with Saudi Arabia.

From BBC

“We cannot look at the binary question of a legacy check box as an opportunity to wash our hands of the negative, the real threat posed by the Supreme Court decision,” said Ms. King, whose alma mater, Wesleyan University, ended legacy preferences in admissions last week.

From New York Times

When Zuckerberg inevitably adds the Threads check box to Meta’s ad platform, it’ll be ominous for Twitter’s flailing ad business.

From Slate

Once Meta adds a check box to extend ads to Threads, ad buyers will check it.

From Slate