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¹book

noun \ˈbu̇k\

: a set of printed sheets of paper that are held together inside a cover : a long written work

: a long written work that can be read on a computer

: a set of sheets of paper that are inside a cover and that you can write information on

Full Definition of BOOK

a : a set of written sheets of skin or paper or tablets of wood or ivory

b : a set of written, printed, or blank sheets bound together into a volume

c : a long written or printed literary composition

d : a major division of a treatise or literary work

e : a record of a business's financial transactions or financial condition —often used in plural <the books show a profit>

f : magazine 4a

g : e-book

capitalized : bible 1

: something that yields knowledge or understanding <the great book of nature> <her face was an open book>

a (1) : the total available knowledge and experience that can be brought to bear on a task or problem <tried every trick in the book> (2) : inside information or analysis <the book on him is that he can't hit a curveball>

b : the standards or authority relevant in a situation <run by the book>

a : all the charges that can be made against an accused person <threw the book at him>

b : a position from which one must answer for certain acts : account <bring criminals to book>

a : libretto

b : the script of a play

c : a book of arrangements for a musician or dance orchestra : musical repertory

: a packet of items bound together like a book <a book of stamps> <a book of matches>

a : bookmaker

b : the bets registered by a bookmaker; also : the business or activity of giving odds and taking bets

: the number of tricks a cardplayer or side must win before any trick can have scoring value

— book·ful \ˈbu̇k-ˌfu̇l\ noun

— in one's book

: in one's own opinion

— in one's good books

: in favor with one

— one for the book

: an act or occurrence worth noting

— on the books

: on the records

See book defined for English-language learners

See book defined for kids

Origin of BOOK

Middle English, from Old English bōc; akin to Old High German buoh book, Gothic boka letter

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BOOK

Synonyms: tome, volume

Other Publishing Terms

annotate, dreadful, emend, expurgate, factoid, jump, lobster shift, redaction, referee

Rhymes with BOOK

brook, chook, cook, Cook, crook, hook, look, nook, rook, schnook, shook, snook, stook

²book

adjective

: learned from reading books and not from experience

Full Definition of BOOK

: derived from books and not from practical experience <book learning>

: shown by books of account <book assets>

See book defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of BOOK

13th century

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

³book

verb

: to make arrangements so that you will be able to use or have (something, such as a room, table, or seat) at a later time

: to make arrangements for (someone) to do, use, or have something at a later time

: to schedule a performance or appearance by (someone, such as a musician)

Full Definition of BOOK

transitive verb

a : to register (as a name) for some future activity or condition (as to engage transportation or reserve lodgings) <he was booked to sail on Monday>

b : to schedule engagements for <book the band for a week>

c : to set aside time for

d : to reserve in advance <book two seats at the theater> <were all booked up>

a : to enter charges against in a police register

b of a referee : to note the name or number of (as a soccer player) for a serious infraction of the rules

intransitive verb

: to make a reservation <book through your travel agent>

chiefly British : to register in a hotel —usually used with in

slang : leave, go; especially : to depart quickly

— book·able \ˈbu̇-kə-bəl\ adjective, chiefly British

— book·er noun

See book defined for English-language learners