playing card

American  

noun

1. one of the conventional set of 52 cards in four suits, as diamonds, hearts, spades, and clubs, used in playing various games of chance and skill.

2. one of any set or pack of cards used in playing games.

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playing card British  

noun

1. one of a pack of 52 rectangular stiff cards, used for playing a variety of games, each card having one or more symbols of the same kind (diamonds, hearts, clubs, or spades) on the face, but an identical design on the reverse See also suit

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Etymology

Origin of playing card

First recorded in 1535–45

Example Sentences

The new device replaces the traditional chest piece with a device around the size of a playing card.

From BBC • Aug. 30, 2025

Today, the 52-card French deck is the most famous playing card deck.

From National Geographic • Nov. 3, 2023

The film eventually introduces the executives of The Charter who all have playing card names for no real reason except maybe the screenwriters thought it was cool.

From Salon • Aug. 14, 2023

She said her mother “made friends,” was going to church and playing card games.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2023

Pong watched the people on the decks of their tidy homes as they pulled up nets of glittery carp or sat in semicircles, playing card games.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat