English

An 80-column 20th century punch card.

Noun

punch card ‎(plural punch cards)

1. A card that can have holes or notches cut in it, especially one for storing data, that can be sorted according to combinations of holes present or absent.
2. (computing) Such a card, the size of a US dollar bill and having 80 columns of 12 rows, used in early mainframe computers.
3. A card given to a customer and punched with a hole at each purchase, allowing a reward to be claimed when fully punched.

Synonyms

• (card with holes or notches): index card, punched card
• (card used in early mainframe computers): punched card, Hollerith card

Related terms

• multipunch

Translations

Usage notes

• Sometimes the blank card was called a punch card, and became a punched card only after holes had been punched in it.
• Also see punched tape and paper tape.

Anagrams

• card punch