punch card

or punchcard, punched card

noun

1. a card having holes punched in specific positions and patterns so as to represent data to be stored or processed mechanically, electrically, or photoelectrically.

Word History and Origins

Origin of punch card¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Electronic data processing defined the American age of the Organization Man, a nation built and sorted on punch cards.

From MIT Technology Review

It means coding just got much easier, higher impact and thus more important, just as when punch cards were replaced by keyboards, or when Grace Hopper invented the compiler.

From Singularity Hub 

At the desk he checked in with the shiny punch-card robot, and walked swiftly across the polished floor.

From Project Gutenberg

On such work as teaming, where teams are hauling earth along a road for a considerable distance, a punch-card is very valuable.

From Project Gutenberg

The paper in the curve-tracer was perfectly blank, and there was no punch-card in the transmitter head.

From Project Gutenberg

He jerked the punch-card out of the transmitter and called Vic.

From Project Gutenberg