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cardholder

American  
[kahrd-hohl-der] / ˈkɑrdˌhoʊl dər /

noun

  1. a registered member of an organization, especially of a union or a political party, who has been issued a card in evidence of membership.

  2. a person who has a library card.

  3. a person to whom a credit card or bank card is issued.

  4. (on a typewriter) either of a pair of devices able to be raised to hold stiff objects, as envelopes or cards, in place for typing.


cardholder British  
/ ˈkɑːdˌhəʊldə /

noun

  1. a person who owns a credit or debit card

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cardholder

First recorded in 1650–60; card 1 + holder

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.

Tracking of cardholder activity by Royal Bank of Canada, the country’s largest lender, showed consumer spending firmed modestly in March despite ongoing softness in discretionary goods.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

“Our card members are doing very well,” Le Caillec said, noting that the company doesn’t necessarily have a cardholder base that’s representative of the U.S. economy.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

Beyond just solving technical issues, cardholder support teams must serve as financial educators who can guide users through the fundamental building blocks of financial services.

From Salon • Dec. 11, 2024

His proposal: If I got one and made him a cardholder, he’d pay all the bills.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 6, 2023

Like the cardholder services one from that lady named Rachel.

From "The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle" by Leslie Connor