What is a check defined as?

A check is defined as a negotiable instrument payable upon demand. This definition captures the essential characteristics of a check, which acts as a written order from one person (the payer) to another (the payee) instructing a bank or financial institution to pay a specified amount of money from the payer’s account to the payee. Checks can be presented for payment by the payee and must be honored by the bank as long as there are sufficient funds in the payer's account.

The term "negotiable" signifies that checks can be transferred from one person to another, allowing various parties to endorse and transfer ownership of the check. Additionally, the requirement for checks to be payable "upon demand" indicates that the money can be accessed immediately at the time of presentation, thereby providing liquidity to the payee.

Other options, while related to payment processes, do not accurately define what a check is. A check is not limited to digital transactions, nor is it a specialized type of debit card or an electronic funds transfer method. These distinctions are important to understand the role checks play in the broader context of payment systems.