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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of debit card

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

He did use a fake name for the sender's details - to avoid spam, he claims - but stresses that he paid with his own debit card.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

On NFL game days, total credit and debit card spending rises by around 77% in the zip codes where stadiums are located, wrote the analyst, and the biggest increases are in food and drinks.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

For some extra protection, make your online purchases with a credit card instead of a debit card.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 10, 2025

Burns, curious to know what convinces people to open new checking accounts, asked his team to identify the first customer who added a direct deposit to their new Southwest debit card.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Nali put her debit card on top of it and said to Nathan, “I’m going to wash up. After that, we’ll call Devin and let him know.”

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young