green card

noun

: an identity card attesting the permanent resident status of an alien in the U.S.
green-carder noun

Examples of green 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.
Last month, Bello had watched immigration agents arrest her mother at a routine green card appointment in downtown Sacramento. Mathew Miranda updated March 31, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026 Mother and sons finally received their green cards at the end of September last year. Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026 That’s only partly because of the 11% interest rate on his auto loan, says the 36-year-old, who immigrated to the US from Cuba in 2008 and has a green card. Steven Church, Bloomberg, 25 Mar. 2026 Those green cards have no limits. Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for green card

Word History

Etymology

from the fact that it was formerly colored green

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of green card was in 1956

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Green card.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/green%20card. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

Legal Definition

green card

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

from the fact that it was formerly colored green

More from Merriam-Webster on green card

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster