yellow card

American  

noun

1. Soccer. a yellow card shown by the referee to a player being cautioned for a violation.

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yellow card British  

noun

1. a card of a yellow colour displayed by a referee to indicate that a player has been officially cautioned for some offence

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verb

1. (tr) to caution (a player) officially for some offence

adjective

1. serving as a warning; intended to warn

   a yellow card system is in place

Example Sentences

Referee Stuart Attwell could only take action against Cucurella with a yellow card, and once VAR confirmed the ball had not been kicked there was no room to initiate a review and subsequent spot-kick.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

A statement from the Premier League Match Centre said: "The referee's call of yellow card to Havertz was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge deemed not to be serious foul play."

From BBC • May 18, 2026

The Arsenal defender escaped with a yellow card.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

In both cases, a yellow card was upgraded to a red after the referee was instructed to review at a pitchside monitor the possible denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Inside a small compartment was a rolled-up tube of paper with a yellow card clipped to its end.

From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein