green card

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

green-carder

ˈgrēn-ˈkär-dər 

noun

green-carder

2 of 2

noun (2)

green-card·​er

-¦kȧdə(r

plural -s

: a foreign national with permission to work in the U.S.

Examples of green card in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

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

Noun (1)

from the fact that it was formerly colored green

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1956, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1964, 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

Noun

from the fact that it was formerly colored green