debit card

American  

noun

1. a plastic card that resembles a credit card but functions like a check and through which payments for purchases or services are made electronically to the bank accounts of participating retailing establishments directly from those of card holders.

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debit card British  

noun

1. an embossed plastic card issued by a bank or building society to enable its customers to pay for goods or services by inserting it into a computer-controlled device at the place of sale, which is connected through the telephone network to the bank or building society. It may also function as a cash card, a cheque card, or both

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Etymology

Origin of debit card

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

In Saturday's statement, the airline said it would automatically process refunds for any flights purchased through Spirit with a credit or debit card to the original form of payment.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

Spirit said it would automatically process refunds for flights purchased through its channels with a credit or debit card.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

The plaintiff alleged that some receipts printed in 2019 included 10-digit credit or debit card numbers —double what’s allowed under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Frequent flyers who hold a United Airlines co-branded credit or debit card can soon earn up to twice as many miles as noncardholders, effectively rewarding the airline’s biggest spenders.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 19, 2026

I put down the debit card Mom had given me—Daisy never had any money and my mom let me charge twenty-five dollars a week as long as I kept straight As.

From "Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green