Definition: smart card ...

From National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA, a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce DOC) ...

... "smart card: A digitally encoded card, similar to a credit card, usually containing a variety of information about the individual(s) authorized to use it. Note: The information can be accessed by a card reader into which the card is inserted. The information may include access codes (for opening doors), account numbers (merchant account numbers as well as banking account numbers), and electronic cash (which is withdrawn from the card as a purchase is made). " ...