green card

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

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 rule gives immigration officers wider discretion when deciding who gets a green card or certain visas. — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Prior to the filing of the relative petition, Augustave had filed a green card application. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026

The process can be lengthy due to green card requirements and system backlogs. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026

That has driven up detentions for people with pending asylum claims and green card holders with minor infractions to their names. — Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 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