alien registration card

noun

dated

: green card

When your child immigrates to the United States, he or she enters as an alien, not as an American citizen. You will receive from the INS an alien registration card.

—Lois Gilman, The Adoption Resource Book, 1998

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!