What is a written order directing a bank to pay money as instructed from a particular account called?

A written order directing a bank to pay money as instructed from a particular account is known as a check. This financial instrument allows the account holder to make payments to a payee by instructing the bank to transfer a specific amount from their account to the designated recipient. When a check is written, it typically includes details such as the date, the amount (numerical and written), the payee's name, and the account holder's signature, which authorizes the transaction.

Checks are a widespread method of payment, allowing for secure and traceable transactions. They can be used for various purposes, including personal payments, business transactions, and utility bills. The process of using a check involves presenting it to a bank or a business, which then deposits or cashes it, effectively moving the funds from the writer's account to the payee.

The other options do not fit this definition; for example, a draft is more broad and can refer to different types of payment orders, a receipt is a document acknowledging that something has been received (typically after a payment has been made), and a voucher usually refers to a document that serves as evidence that a payment or transaction has occurred, not one that initiates a payment.