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

STAHLS’ personalizes two jerseys for each draft pick, including one handed to the player onstage and another that is used as part of his rookie playing card pack.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 22, 2024

There’s wide speculation on how playing cards eventually made it to Europe, playing card historian Peter Endebrock told Atlas Obscura in 2020.

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 takes her ring from her finger and leaves it on the mantel, resting between the two hearts emblazoned on the playing card.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern