identification card

American  

noun

1. a card giving identifying data about a person, as full name, address, age, and color of hair and eyes, and often containing a photograph: for use as identification at a place of employment, school, club, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of identification card

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

To register to vote, Californians must provide their driver’s license number or state identification card number and the last four digits of their Social Security number, along with other information.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

She provided her son's college identification card plus a description of his appearance, build and footwear.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026

Many of the flagged registered voters turned out to be naturalized citizens whom the state incorrectly identified as ineligible because it was using outdated DPS data from driver’s license and state identification card applications.

From Salon • Oct. 15, 2024

On Friday morning, the campus, which is fenced but normally open to the public, was closed to anyone without an identification card.

From New York Times • May 3, 2024

He had gotten a Blauschein, a "blue sheet" or Gestapo-issued permit, added to his identification card, which we hoped would again exempt all of us from deportation.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson