card index

American  

noun

card indexes plural

1. a file or catalog consisting of cards on which information has been entered so that desired items or data can be readily found.

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card index British  

noun

1. an index in which each item is separately listed on systematically arranged cards

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verb

1. (tr) to make such an index of (a book)

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• card indexes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of card index

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

card index

It is also the only Met case still run on the 1980s card index system, kept in case a handwritten detail was ever overlooked.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

The letters poured in and Baxter set up a complicated card index system so children would get personal replies rather than a formatted letter.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2025

Despite her closeness to the party, her membership was never processed; Rathkolb was unable to find her in the party’s card index in Berlin.

From New York Times ● Aug. 11, 2021

Senior officials said some assets were on databases, but others were held on a separate card index, or even on handwritten inventories held only in specific historic properties.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 9, 2010

It was agreed also that a card index, giving data about every member of the Legislature, should be compiled at once to be used later for reference.

From The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume VI by Harper, Ida Husted