debit card

American  

noun

debit cards plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• debit cards
  plural

Etymology

Origin of debit card

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

debit card

New crypto debit card lets you ‘buy now, pay maybe’

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 2, 2026

The startup, an eco-friendly digital banking company boasting fossil fuel-free investments, carbon offsets for gas purchases, and a debit card with cash-back benefits for shopping at clean companies, was founded by Sanberg and Andrei Cherny.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

However, Bloomberg’s data on credit and debit card transactions appeared weaker in April.

From Barron's ● May 13, 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

She peered down at him through bifocal glasses and handed him a hard plastic debit card.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai