Also called card, visiting card. a small card with the name and often the address of a person or of a couple, for presenting when making a business or social call, for enclosing in gifts, etc.
2.
Informal. any mark, sign, trace, characteristic, or the like by which someone or something can be recognized.
3.
Also called phone card. a prepaid card or charge card that can be used to make a telephone call at home or away from home.
Origin
1895-1900, Americanism
Examples from the web for calling card
Their chief mode is hyperbole, their calling card drama.
Yet the joke sheets proved an effective calling card to the advertising world.
The hotel's calling card is elegance by the waterfront, with its sweeping views of both the sea and the city.
Follow the instructions that come with the calling card to activate it before you leave the country.
Power seems to be the ultimate calling card when it comes to the top fantasy baseball prospects.
One potential tourist calling card lies in the country's colorful festivals.
But the hotel's real calling card is its proximity to local amenities.
The inmate must make either a collect call or use a specific calling card which is available only through the jail commissary.
It is also easy to purchase a pre-paid calling card for long distance service.
British Dictionary definitions for calling card
calling card
noun
1.
a small card bearing the name and usually the address of a person, esp for giving to business or social acquaintances Also called visiting card