credit card

American  

noun

1. a card that identifies a person as entitled to have food, merchandise, services, etc., billed on a charge account.

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credit card British  

noun

1. a card issued by banks, businesses, etc, enabling the holder to obtain goods and services on credit

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Etymology

Origin of credit card

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

A generous 60-day free trial requires no credit card — though if you don’t cancel before it ends, you’ll roll automatically into a 1-year subscription.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

“We have been fielding incoming investor debates around fears from third party credit card data into results and which should amplify today’s strong results,” Siegel wrote.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

Dumping war costs on the nation’s credit card puts taxpayers on the hook — not only for the conflict’s principal amount but the interest on it.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

Customers can connect AI to a virtual old credit card for purchases, with agents restricted to the virtual card.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

They drove to the hotel in their car and paid for the room with their credit card.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

Related Words

• bank card