vanity plate

noun

1. a vehicle license plate bearing a combination of letters or numbers requested by the licensee, as a name or occupation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vanity plate¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

A spokesman for the Delaware Department of Transportation said the agency will review the decision before commenting on it and the future of the vanity plate program.

From Seattle Times

In Delaware, no vanity plate can be issued if it is “considered to be obscene” by DMV officials.

From Seattle Times

An Ohio man filed a federal lawsuit earlier this month after his application for a vanity plate reading “F46 LGB” was rejected in 2022.

From Seattle Times

That same year, Alabama officials reversed course and allowed a gun store owner to keep a vanity plate reading “LGBF JB” after initially telling him it would not be renewed.

From Seattle Times

State officials also agreed to issue plates to those previously denied who reapply and pay the required vanity plate fees.

From Seattle Times