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

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

“Your library card is worth its weight in gold these days because of the tremendous resources available at our libraries,” says Trejo.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2024

Charles quickly opened the book to chapter 11 and slipped in his library card to bookmark the location.

From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein

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