credit card

American  

noun

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

---

credit card British  

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of credit card

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

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

Rowe considered putting it on a credit card.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

Today, Robinhood Markets announced its own automated AI trading for users, also allowing users to utilize AI to make credit card decisions.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

“Girardi Keese paid my Amex credit card bill every month.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

Then Dad placed his credit card on the table before getting up to wash the moo shu off his hands.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin

Related Words

• bank card