key card
noun
plural key cards
: a small usually plastic card that contains encoded data to electronically open or access something (such as a door or a system)
Hotel room doors are often accessed by a key card programmed by the front desk.—
Kara Godfrey
Kara GodfreyMorrill Hall has an open lobby but requires key cards to enter elevators to get to dorm rooms.—The Associated Press State & Local Wire
The Associated Press State & Local Wire… a plan to buy a $1 million key card voting system …—Hillary Chabot
Hillary ChabotExamples of key card in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Eco effort The hotel has a heat recovery system, water-efficient toilets and showers, and uses LED lights and key cards to minimize electricity usage.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
Smith went to the hotel’s reception in the early hours of the morning and was handed a key card, according to the outlet.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
Investigators also found a trash bag containing a key card, toys, diapers and kids' snacks in a trash bin at the hotel’s parking garage.
—Caroline Wilburn, Houston Chronicle, 6 Mar. 2026
In her statement, Columbia’s president reiterated that law enforcement agencies must have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena to gain access to non-public areas of the university, including housing, classrooms, and areas requiring key card access.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for key card
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
Smith went to the hotel’s reception in the early hours of the morning and was handed a key card, according to the outlet.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
Investigators also found a trash bag containing a key card, toys, diapers and kids' snacks in a trash bin at the hotel’s parking garage.
—Caroline Wilburn, Houston Chronicle, 6 Mar. 2026
In her statement, Columbia’s president reiterated that law enforcement agencies must have a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena to gain access to non-public areas of the university, including housing, classrooms, and areas requiring key card access.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for key card
Cite this Entry
“Key card.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key%20card. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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