1. a machine used to punch holes in cards or tape to record data
Usage: computing; historical

1. to punch holes in cards or tape using a keypunch machine
Usage: computing; historical

Examples

• The keypunch operator worked quickly to enter the data onto punch cards.
• Before computers had keyboards, workers used a keypunch to input information.
• She learned to keypunch data cards at her first office job in the 1960s.
• The old keypunch machine sat unused in the corner of the computer room.
• Students had to keypunch their programs onto cards before submitting them.
• The keypunch created precise holes that represented numbers and letters.