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

The pay-as-you-go scheme allows customers to use a tap-in and tap-out process using a contactless debit card or smartphone device without needing to buy tickets in advance for adult single journeys.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

I do something similar with tap to pay; I save my debit card info there, so that I’m not mindlessly racking up little expenses on a credit card.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

Starbucks' estimated credit and debit card payment volume fell 17 percent from May to June, according to local data platform firm IGAWorks.

From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026

If you do discover an unauthorized charge on your debit card, notifying your bank or credit union within two business days of noticing the fraud caps your maximum liability at $50.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026

“Not really,” Felix mumbled, and picked up his debit card for the first time.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty