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

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Etymology

Origin of license plate

First recorded in 1900–05

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

license plate

But earlier this week, a controversial pilot program that would attach hundreds of license plate readers to streetlights around the city cleared the City Council, and it is expected to launch in the near future.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

Unlike an e-bicycle, the e-motorcycle requires a valid motorcycle license to use on the street, including a DMV registration, a license plate, insurance and full motorcycle equipment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026

At Chicago, the university said a person of interest has been identified through eye witnesses, video cameras and license plate readers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

Officers were subsequently able to use automated license plate readers to identify the minivan and two addresses, one in Anaheim and another in Fountain Valley, that were associated with it, Garcia said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

I grab a license plate off the line.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz

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