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.
The clue [Two of spades?] doesn’t refer to a specific playing card. Deb Amlen, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025 One witness said about 10 people were hanging out, drinking and playing cards. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025 Also lost were performance posters, a bust of Schoenberg and ephemera such as the fanciful playing card sets the composer designed. Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025 At one point, Hedges lost a sizable amount to Scherzer playing cards. Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 25 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

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Cite this Entry

“Playing card.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playing%20card. Accessed 16 Mar. 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

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