playing card

noun

play·​ing card ˈplā-iŋ- 

: one of a set of 24 to 78 thin rectangular pieces of cardboard or plastic marked on one side to show its rank and suit and used in playing any of numerous games

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Tell me lies What is particularly troubling is that these limitations crop up in simplified and artificial conditions, like volunteers lying about a playing card they have been given. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 9 Apr. 2012

There he was subjected to a course of brainwashing that renders him an unthinking assassin when he is shown a trigger item: a queen of diamonds playing card. —Peter Tonguette, WSJ, 4 Nov. 2022

Some psychic readers use a standard 52-card playing card deck to offer spiritual guidance and insight. —Dallas News, 29 Aug. 2022

There are 54 windows, each corresponding to a playing card — the 52 cards in a standard deck plus two jokers. —Chris Bieri, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Jan. 2023

Cocks didn’t share those concerns, and pointed out that demand for Magic and other role-playing card games continues to grow, particularly among female players. —Paul R. La Monica, CNN, 23 Nov. 2022

Like sticking a playing card in a bicycle’s spoke, the rubbing produces a rhythmic sound that, when fast enough, becomes difficult to resolve into individual noises — blending into one harmony. —Connor Lynch, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2022

With this playing card set, your nerd can safely play with sub-atomic particles right in the comfort of their own home. —Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 11 Nov. 2022

In 2019, the Utah Cold Case Coalition distributed its own deck of 54 cards, featuring one Utah cold case for each playing card, including both jokers. —Kolbie Peterson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 6 Oct. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

playing card

noun

: any of a set of cards marked to show rank and suit (as spades, hearts, diamonds, or clubs) and used in playing games