green card

noun

variants or less commonly Green Card
plural green cards also Green Cards
: an identity card attesting the permanent resident status of an immigrant, refugee, etc. in the U.S.
To become a citizen, people generally have to have a green card for several years, … pass a background check as well as English and civics tests, and take an oath.—Madeleine Ngo
The steps you must take to apply for a Green Card will vary depending on your individual situation.—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
green-carder
ˈgrēn-ˈkär-dər How to pronounce green card (audio)
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.
The administration recently revived a federal rule that could deny green cards to immigrants who use public benefits that could include food stamps, Medicaid, housing vouchers and others. — Mikella Schuettler, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 Washington takes aim at Big Tech's hiring Vice President JD Vance announced the suspension of Microsoft, Adobe and six IT services firms from a program that helps skilled foreign workers get green cards. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026 Vance said Microsoft last year laid off 6,000 American workers but also obtained 6,300 H-1B visas and almost 3,000 green cards. — Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 The law does not affect coverage for a few groups, including those who hold green cards. — Phil Galewitz, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026 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

Rhymes for green card

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Browse Nearby Words

green bulbul
green card
green-carder
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Cite this Entry

“Green card.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/green%20card. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about green card

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