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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of playing card

First recorded in 1535–45

Example Sentences

"It was raining, we were all in the tent playing cards with the gang, then we heard shouting," camper Matthew Stanhope told The Age newspaper, saying he and his friends ran to a nearby hill.

From Barron's

He tried to pass the time playing cards, watching TV and exercising.

From Los Angeles Times

Which was fun, because then it happened that you started playing cards and we became a real ensemble.

From Los Angeles Times

Her chin dropped to her chest, her clawed hands softened, and the playing cards slipped to the floor.

From Literature

They’re about puzzles and rubber masks and whipping playing cards through the air and escape rooms.

From Los Angeles Times