playing card

noun

play·​ing card ˈplā-iŋ- How to pronounce playing card (audio)
: 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

Examples of playing 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.
Earp tries his best to cheer his pal up, pushing playing cards into his hands. Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025 Ed was a charismatic man and a friend of many people who enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting, woodworking, sports and playing cards. Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 There’s also a three-course children’s menu priced at €70 ($76), with dishes such as The Lantern Festival (aka fish and chips) à la Tangled and Alice’s Biscuits (strawberry and chocolate biscuits fashioned like playing cards) from Alice in Wonderland. Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2025 The clue [Two of spades?] doesn’t refer to a specific playing card. Deb Amlen, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for playing card

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of playing card was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Playing card.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playing%20card. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on playing card

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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