card catalog

noun

: a catalog (as of books) in which the entries are arranged systematically on cards

Examples of card catalog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Lauder pointed to the Clinique card catalog as an example, where sales associates would note product recommendations and purchases as well as personal details about the shopper. Fairchild Studio, WWD, 15 Oct. 2024 The piece utilizes the library’s century-old card catalog, which had been supplanted by an online catalog system. Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 14 July 2024 Without detailed metadata, a video archive is like a library without a card catalog. Dave Friend, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024 The fabled Joan Rivers card catalog of jokes is being donated to the National Comedy Center. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for card catalog 

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of card catalog was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near card catalog

Cite this Entry

“Card catalog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/card%20catalog. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

card catalog

noun
: a catalog of library books in which a card for each book is alphabetically filed with its call number usually under the title, author, and subject of the book

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