touch in
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
to initiate an electronic ticketing process at the start of a public transport journey by holding a chipcard or a mobile device close to a terminal or reader
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Commuters have been told not to keep two contactless bank cards in their wallet as the wrong one could be charged when they touch in or out.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “touch in” mean?
to initiate an electronic ticketing process at the start of a public transport journey by holding a chipcard or a mobile device close to a terminal or reader
Is “touch in” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.