license plate

American  

noun

license plates plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• license plates
  plural

Etymology

Origin of license plate

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

"The Tennessee license plate used to have a sign on it, or a little motto that said, 'Follow me to Tennessee,'" Bessent said.

From Barron's • Jul. 9, 2026

Often affixed inconspicuously to poles, they photograph the back of every passing vehicle and collect license plate data—as well as color, make, model and features like a bumper sticker or a gun rack.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

Flock promotes its 20 billion license plate reads a month—and ability to solve crimes across jurisdictions—to prospective law-enforcement customers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

Police received two hits for the license plate — both prior to the shooting, including one at the Fashion Valley mall about six miles from Clark’s home.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

There were no times, no dates, no license plate numbers.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx