trading card

noun

plural trading cards
: one of a set of cards or digital files collected and traded as a hobby : collectible card: such as
a
: a card featuring a picture of and statistical information about an athlete
It may be the most legendary trading card in sports, and it's not even Mantle's rookie card.Jon Gold
b
: a card featuring a fictional character, location, item, etc. and used especially in playing a trading card game
The "Labyrinth of Nightmare" set of Yu-Gi-Oh! trading cards is considered a good investment by some collectors because it contains several powerful and sought-after cards.Oliver Copeland
c
: a digital art file featuring a person, character, item, etc.
especially : a unique non-fungible token card
NFT trading cards are unique digital collectibles. Each NFT card is distinct. … A rare NFT trading card featuring a legendary musician or athlete might command a high price due to their widespread fame. Iulia Vasile

Examples of trading 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.
According to the company, this marks the first time a player move has ever been announced via trading card. Larry Holder, New York Times, 24 July 2026 This is the first team partnership for Panini since becoming the exclusive trading card and sticker partner of the NWSL and NWSLPA earlier this year. Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 24 July 2026 Outerstuff will feature youth merchandise, and Panini will distribute digital trading cards and exclusive card packs while displaying autographed memorabilia. Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 One of them is NikNax, an online thrifting marketplace that now has over 5,000 sellers listing all sorts of resale items from mugs to trading cards, according to a report from CNBC Make It. Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for trading card

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trading card was in 1944

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Cite this Entry

“Trading card.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trading%20card. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

trading card

noun
: a card that usually has pictures and information about someone or something and is part of a set that is collected by trading with other people
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