library card

American

noun

a card issued by a library to individuals or organizations entitling them or their representatives to borrow materials.

Etymology

Origin of library card

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And last year, I got a library card, paying about $40 total so that I could take full advantage of the Amsterdam public libraries’ book collection.

From Slate • Mar. 8, 2026

Sandwell's Library Plus scheme enables the whole family to use a library card and a pin code to get in, when there are no staff present.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

The planning began the way all great overcommitments do: with a library card.

From Salon • Oct. 14, 2025

Liu, who lives in Manhattan, elaborated on why her library card, spur-of-the-moment theatergoing and riding her bicycle are essential to her well-being.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2024

“If you’ve had this book here, then wouldn’t you need a library card to check it out? You need an address for a library card, right?”

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023