card catalog

American

noun

a file of cards of uniform size arranged in some definite order and listing the items in the collection of a library or group of libraries, each card typically identifying a single item.

Etymology

Origin of card catalog

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

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.

The jury threw not just the book at him, but the entire library, including the shelves and the card catalog:

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2023

A different "card catalog" is required for different antigens.

From Science Daily • Oct. 25, 2023

In an 1890s card catalog in his office, the loose finger of a plaster Jesus shares a drawer with Duracell batteries.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 25, 2021

They are both practical and inspirational, an instruction manual for a new era and a card catalog for a society in crisis.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2020

She looked up Pauline Hawthorne in the card catalog and found a few books on art history.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023