green card

noun

: an identity card attesting the permanent resident status of an alien in the U.S.

green-carder

ˈgrēn-ˈkär-dər 

noun

Examples of green card in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Because the United States has strict annual quotas by country and by category for green cards, graduate students often have to wait years before gaining the assurance that they and their families will not be unexpectedly uprooted. —L. Rafael Reif, Foreign Affairs, 13 Sep. 2023

The legislation also included an amendment that prevented not only foreign nationals, but also green card holders from contributing to ballot issue campaigns. —Isabella Murray, ABC News, 30 May 2024

Qualifying children must be born in the United States or foreign-born with a green card or pass the substantial presence test for tax purposes. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2024

If all went accordingly, Ayman and Mona would receive green cards within three months of their arrival and siblings under 21 years old within one to two years after that. —Violet Ikonomova, Detroit Free Press, 12 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

from the fact that it was formerly colored green

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

green card

noun

: an identity card attesting the permanent resident status of an alien in the U.S.

Etymology

from the fact that it was formerly colored green