# debit card

CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/debit-card
Updated: 2026-08-02

## Definition

a small plastic card that lets you pay for things using the money you already have in your bank account. The money comes out of your account almost immediately after you buy something.

For teachers: a payment card that facilitates the electronic transfer of funds from the cardholder's bank account to a merchant. Unlike a credit card, the transaction is limited by the available balance in the linked demand deposit account.

## Examples

- I used my debit card to pay for the groceries.
- The bank issued a new debit card with a chip for extra security when shopping online.
- Modern debit cards utilize near-field communication technology to enable contactless payments, streamlining low-value retail transactions while maintaining direct links to the user's primary checking account.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I paid it with my debit card" but "I paid by debit card" — When discussing the method of payment, use 'by debit card' or 'with a debit card'; the definite article 'the' is usually omitted in the 'by' construction.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with the verbs 'use', 'issue', or 'swipe'.

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