green card

noun

variants or less commonly Green Card

plural green cards also Green Cards

: an identity card attesting the permanent resident status of an immigrant, refugee, etc. in the U.S.

To become a citizen, people generally have to have a green card for several years, … pass a background check as well as English and civics tests, and take an oath.

—Madeleine Ngo

The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation.

—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

green-carder

ˈgrēn-ˈkär-dər 

noun

Examples of green card in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The ruling concerns how recipients of DACA may travel abroad and their ability to obtain green cards. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

The reconciliation measure limited eligibility to green card holders and certain immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands. — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026

Participating American citizens were paid up to $30,000, generally in installments tied to milestones in the green card application process. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

The defendants charged up to $100,000 per green card, bringing in tens of millions of dollars over the course of the decade-long scheme, according to officials. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the fact that it was formerly colored green

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for green card

• asgard
• backyard
• barnyard
• blackguard
• bombard
• brickyard
• canard
• churchyard
• coastguard
• courtyard
• debarred
• diehard

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