D&D 5E Are attack rolls considered an ability check?

[Kor]

Spells like Guidance and Enhance Ability, give bonuses on ability checks. Attack rolls are modified by the appropriate ability modifier (Str, Dex or spellcasting ability modifier for attack spells). Are attack rolls considered ability checks?

PHB Page 174, indicates that ability checks are either "skill checks" or pure "ability checks", however under the "Using Each Ability" summaries on Page 175, it does describe that the appropriate ability modifier is added to attacks. Based on this, it looks like to me that attack rolls are included as being "Ability Checks".

Is this correct?

 

[the Jester]

No. Checks, attacks and saves are all different.

 

[Mistwell]

Nope, not an ability check. Initiative is however an ability check.

 

[Kor]

After reading the text further on pages 175/176 where it references "Strength Checks" separately from "Attack Rolls and Damage", it does seem pretty clear now that attack rolls are not an ability check.

This seems to makes spells like Enhance Ability to be of considerably less benefit than their previous edition counterparts. It almost seems like this should be a 1st level spell now, but perhaps that's just me.