Smart card is generally referred to a card bearing an integrated circuit (IC). Typically, the IC has an operating system of its own and runs an application on it for storing the user data. A terminal with smart card reader is generally used for reading & writing the IC.
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A "smart card" is a plastic credit card or debit card that contains an embedded memory chip, which usually contains your account number and perhaps other identifying information. There are types of smart cards that must be inserted into a reader. These have a pattern of electrical contacts on them which the reader uses to read the data from the card.
There are also "contactless" smart cards which only need to be held near a reader, not in physical contact with it. The Mobil Speedpass is one type of contactless card.