trading card

noun

plural trading cards
: one of a set of cards or digital files collected and traded as a hobby : collectible card: such as
a
: a card featuring a picture of and statistical information about an athlete
It may be the most legendary trading card in sports, and it's not even Mantle's rookie card.Jon Gold
b
: a card featuring a fictional character, location, item, etc. and used especially in playing a trading card game
The "Labyrinth of Nightmare" set of Yu-Gi-Oh! trading cards is considered a good investment by some collectors because it contains several powerful and sought-after cards.Oliver Copeland
c
: a digital art file featuring a person, character, item, etc.
especially : a unique non-fungible token card
NFT trading cards are unique digital collectibles. Each NFT card is distinct. … A rare NFT trading card featuring a legendary musician or athlete might command a high price due to their widespread fame. Iulia Vasile

Examples of trading 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.
Also visit Delta’s online merch store to snag things like trading cards, cufflinks, and more. Ronny Maye, Essence, 29 Jan. 2026 McDonald's had teased the toys' return on its Instagram page and on its Happy Meal page with a post of trading card-like profiles of the characters. Melina Khan, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026 The trading cards were first developed in Japan in 1996 and had early international success as a lunch-hour activity for elementary-school kids. Clio Chang, Curbed, 23 Jan. 2026 Topps said a number of the patches will be placed into ultra-rare trading cards. Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trading card

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trading card was in 1944

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Cite this Entry

“Trading card.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trading%20card. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

trading card

noun
: a card that usually has pictures and information about someone or something and is part of a set that is collected by trading with other people
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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