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

I acquired the license plate via a 4K traffic camera at the intersection, a camera you could not see.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

The viewing sessions got more serious after Cicero told his friends he went to a trivia night and was stumped by a question on the license plate on Jerry’s Saab convertible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 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

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to increase oversight of data gathered by law enforcement devices known as automated license plate readers.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

His brain told him that he should have gotten the license plate number, but it was too late.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner