card
1 Americannoun
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a usually rectangular piece of stiff paper, thin pasteboard, or plastic for various uses, as to write information on or printed as a means of identifying the holder.
a 3″ × 5″ file card; a membership card.
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one of a set of thin pieces of cardboard with spots, figures, etc., used in playing various games; playing card.
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(usually used with a singular verb) cards,
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a game or games played with such a set.
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the playing of such a game.
to win at cards.
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Casino. the winning of 27 cards or more.
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Whist. tricks won in excess of six.
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Also called greeting card. a piece of paper or thin cardboard, usually folded, printed with a message of holiday greeting, congratulations, or other sentiment, often with an illustration or decorations, for mailing to a person on an appropriate occasion.
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something useful in attaining an objective, as a course of action or position of strength, comparable to a high card held in a game.
If negotiation fails, we still have another card to play.
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a specified topic that elicits strong reactions, brought up as part of a strategic move to gain an advantage.
She was accused of playing the gender card when her male boss passed her over for promotion.
He pulled the race card by branding his Muslim opponent as radical.
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Commerce.
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a program of the events at races, boxing matches, etc.
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a menu or wine list.
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Computers.
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Informal.
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a person who is amusing or facetious.
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any person, especially one with some indicated characteristic.
a queer card.
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verb (used with object)
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to provide with a card.
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to fasten on a card.
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to write, list, etc., on cards.
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Slang. to examine the identity card or papers of.
The bartender was carding all youthful customers to be sure they were of legal drinking age.
idioms
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play one's cards right, to act cleverly, sensibly, or cautiously.
If you play your cards right, you may get mentioned in her will.
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in / on the cards, impending or likely; probable.
A reorganization is in the cards.
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put one's cards on the table, to be completely straightforward and open; conceal nothing.
He always believed in putting his cards on the table.
noun
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a machine for combing and paralleling fibers of cotton, flax, wool, etc., prior to spinning to remove short, undesirable fibers and produce a sliver.
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a similar implement for raising the nap on cloth.
verb (used with object)
idioms
abbreviation
noun
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a piece of stiff paper or thin cardboard, usually rectangular, with varied uses, as for filing information in an index, bearing a written notice for display, entering scores in a game, etc
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such a card used for identification, reference, proof of membership, etc
library card
identity card
visiting card
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such a card used for sending greetings, messages, or invitations, often bearing an illustration, printed greetings, etc
Christmas card
birthday card
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one of a set of small pieces of cardboard, variously marked with significant figures, symbols, etc, used for playing games or for fortune-telling
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short for playing card
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( as modifier )
a card game
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( in combination )
cardsharp
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informal a witty, entertaining, or eccentric person
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short for cheque card credit card
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See compass card
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Also called: race card. horse racing a daily programme of all the races at a meeting, listing the runners, riders, weights to be carried, distances to be run, and conditions of each race
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a thing or action used in order to gain an advantage, esp one that is concealed and kept in reserve until needed (esp in the phrase a card up one's sleeve )
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short for printed circuit card See printed circuit board
verb
noun
abbreviation
Other Word Forms
- carder noun
- carding noun
Etymology
Origin of card1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English carde, unexplained variant of Old French carte carte
Origin of card2
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English card(e), from Middle French: literally, “teasel head,” from Late Latin cardus “teasel,” from Latin carduus “thistle”
Explanation
A card is a thick, often square or rectangular piece of paper. A schmoozer might hand you a business card, or you might send your mom a Mother’s Day card, or perhaps you’ll play poker with a deck of cards. There are many different kinds of cards, from birthday cards to flashcards for studying vocabulary words before a big test. Cards are traditionally made from a light cardboard or heavy weight paper, although you probably also have plastic cards like an ATM card or a library card. To card someone is to ask for an identification card. The Greek root of card is khartes, "layer of papyrus."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Atletico did not have a player booked in the second leg, while Barca received one yellow card as well as a red.
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026
Those include many consumer companies, credit card companies, and banks, which make more loans and conduct more corporate transactions when economic demand is growing.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
For decades, Iran has held a single geopolitical trump card in its pocket — the ability to shut down oil-tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026
Gas accounted for about 6% of total debit card spend and about 4% of total credit card spend before the war in Iran began, according to Scharf.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
“That’s on a strictly need-to-know basis,” John says, snatching back his card.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
