checksum
noun
check·sum
ˈchek-ˌsəm 
: a sum derived from the bits of a segment of computer data that is calculated before and after transmission or storage to assure that the data is free from errors or tampering
Examples of checksum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At any point in the future, when presented with a document, anyone could take the checksum and look for it on the blockchain.
—
Christopher Petersen, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
For example, one of his graduate students studied packet errors and discovered that checksums, which are used to detect corruption in the header of IPv4 packets, are bad at detecting certain kinds of errors that are likely to occur over asynchronous transfer mode.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2022
There’s no checksum, no sender verification, no nothing.
—Neil J. Rubenking, PCMAG, 11 Aug. 2022
This puzzle was brilliantly answered by Ben, using a sophisticated version of the checksum modulo-3 technique from Puzzle 3.
—Quanta Magazine, 23 Mar. 2016
By tracking the MD5 checksum, which uniquely identifies the original source of a song, Hoffman said that Emusic would be able to track files that were being made available from one individual to other Napster users.
—Brad King, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2000
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Christopher Petersen, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
For example, one of his graduate students studied packet errors and discovered that checksums, which are used to detect corruption in the header of IPv4 packets, are bad at detecting certain kinds of errors that are likely to occur over asynchronous transfer mode.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2022
There’s no checksum, no sender verification, no nothing.
—Neil J. Rubenking, PCMAG, 11 Aug. 2022
This puzzle was brilliantly answered by Ben, using a sophisticated version of the checksum modulo-3 technique from Puzzle 3.
—Quanta Magazine, 23 Mar. 2016
By tracking the MD5 checksum, which uniquely identifies the original source of a song, Hoffman said that Emusic would be able to track files that were being made available from one individual to other Napster users.
—Brad King, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2000
Cite this Entry
“Checksum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/checksum. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share