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.
On March 8, the Trump administration upped the ante with the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian refugee whose green card was revoked over his involvement in demonstrations at Columbia. Ray Sanchez, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025 The law would’ve granted green card holders and some other legal immigrant New York City residents the right to vote in most local elections, including for mayor, public advocate, comptroller and Council. Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025 Khalil is accused of being a Hamas supporter and faces the withdrawal of his green card and expulsion from the United States, but is challenging this. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025 Why was it used previously? March 17, 2025 5:29 PM Read Next National Can a green card holder be deported? Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025 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 25 Mar. 2025.

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

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