key card

noun

plural key cards
: a small usually plastic card that contains encoded data to electronically open or access something (such as a door or a system)
Hotel room doors are often accessed by a key card programmed by the front desk.Kara Godfrey
Morrill Hall has an open lobby but requires key cards to enter elevators to get to dorm rooms.The Associated Press State & Local Wire
… a plan to buy a $1 million key card voting system …Hillary Chabot

Examples of key 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.
The ransomware attack affected 30 MGM Resort properties causing immediate tremendous disruption that lasted for nine days with guests’ digital key cards inoperable, locking them out of their rooms, as well as affecting slot machines, ATMs and check in systems. Steve Weisman, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 Julian’s key card was also logged as entering a women’s restroom on the 25th floor and then entering Olympia’s old office, 2523. Noel Murray, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025 The new building comes with lots of security cameras and tabulation rooms that are only accessible by key card, with restrictions on who can enter. Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 1 Feb. 2024 Items in the bag included prescription glasses, wallet, school key card, several keys from my shop at school, change of clothes, and a lunch bag. John Oman, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for key card

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of key card was in 1966

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Cite this Entry

“Key card.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key%20card. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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