license plate

American  

noun

1. a plate or tag, usually of metal, bearing evidence of official registration and permission, as for the use of a motor vehicle.

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license plate British  

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): numberplate.  a plate mounted on the front and back of a motor vehicle bearing the registration number

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Etymology

Origin of license plate

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The app, known as Enhanced Leads Identification and Targeting for Enforcement, or ELITE, lets officers research and track individuals based on criminal history, license plate searches, name, date of birth or locations.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Neighborhood doorbell cameras, Flock license plate readers and hyperlocal social media sites like Nextdoor create a crowdsourced record of all people’s movements in public spaces.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026

Surveillance cameras and license plate readers are commonly used by investigators and have rarely been challenged.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

According to the search warrant affidavit, Abatti’s truck was spotted on license plate readers on Nov. 20 heading south in El Centro, leaving the area of his hunting grounds at about 1:30 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Many people had driven across the nation to see the race; virtually every state in the union was represented by a license plate.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand