green card

noun

: an identity card attesting the permanent resident status of an alien in the U.S.
green-carder noun

Examples of green card in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Officials then granted him a green card. Eryn Dion, USA Today, 20 Dec. 2025 Michelle Mittelstadt, a spokeswoman for the Migration Policy Institute, an immigration policy think tank, said millions apply every year for the few green cards. Jay Marques, NBC news, 20 Dec. 2025 The diversity visa program makes up to 50,000 green cards available each year by lottery to people from countries that are little represented in the United States, many of them in Africa. Patrick Whittle, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025 Investigators said Neves Valente obtained lawful permanency in April 2017 and was issued a green card. Luke Barr, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for green card

Word History

Etymology

from the fact that it was formerly colored green

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of green card was in 1956

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Cite this Entry

“Green card.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/green%20card. Accessed 27 Dec. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on green card

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