checkpoint

American  

[chek-point] / ˈtʃɛkˌpɔɪnt /

noun

1. a place along a road, border, etc., where travelers are stopped for inspection.

2. a point or item, especially in a procedure, for notation, inspection, or confirmation.

---

checkpoint British  

/ ˈtʃɛkˌpɔɪnt /

noun

1. a place, as at a frontier or in a motor rally, where vehicles or travellers are stopped for official identification, inspection, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of checkpoint

First recorded in 1935–40; check ¹ + point

Example Sentences

The effect became even more pronounced when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors - a type of immunotherapy that has transformed cancer treatment in recent years.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

One of Scotland's most high-profile gangland figures has been paraded by police in Bali after being arrested at an airport immigration checkpoint.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

Airport security lines are long because of a shortage of TSA security checkpoint officers, with over 450 quitting amid a government shutdown.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Airlines might be more lenient when processing flight changes right now, but passengers shouldn’t expect a cash refund just because they were stuck at a security checkpoint.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

Near the town of Opi—the dust-covered church and school signs read opi—we came to a police checkpoint.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie