library

noun

li·​brary ˈlī-ˌbrer-ē 

-ˌbre-rē;

 British usually and US sometimes  -brə-rē;

British often and US sometimes

-brē 

 nonstandard  -ˌber-ē,

nonstandard

-ˌbe-rē 

plural libraries

1

a

: a place in which literary, musical, artistic, or reference materials (such as books, manuscripts, recordings, or films) are kept for use but not for sale

b

: a collection of such materials

a library of jazz recordings

2

a

: a collection resembling or suggesting a library

an illustrations library

b

: morgue sense 2

3

a

: a series of related books issued by a publisher

a Dickens library

b

: a collection of publications on the same subject

4

: a collection of cloned DNA fragments that are maintained in a suitable cellular environment and that usually represent the genetic material of a particular organism or tissue

How do you pronounce library?: Usage Guide

While the pronunciation \ˈlī-ˌbrer-ē\ is the most frequent variant in the U.S., the other variants are not uncommon. The contraction \ˈlī-brē\ and the dissimilated form \ˈlī-ˌber-ē\ result from the relative difficulty of repeating \r\ in the same syllable or successive syllables; our files contain citations for these variants from educated speakers, including college presidents and professors, as well as with somewhat greater frequency from less educated speakers.

Synonyms

• archive

Examples of library in a Sentence

I borrowed the book from the school library.

He has an impressive library of jazz records.

a library of computer programs

Recent Examples on the Web

Threets loves libraries so much, he's created a thriving social media presence based around them. —Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2024

Check your local branch or the public library’s website for a schedule of events to include activities, prizes, story times, crafts and special performances. —The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2024

When Johnson took the podium outside the library, he was met with a chorus of boos from protesters gathered nearby. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 26 Apr. 2024

Lane has served on the library board for a little over a year. —Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Apr. 2024

Other tools that contributed to my production was the first official reggaetón drums library that was given to me by the legendary DJ Blass, who was the creator of that library. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024

McCormick — who now lives in northern Virginia but grew up in Milwaukee and was recently a library director in Janesville — cherished what was a tradition. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2024

Meetings of the Metropolis library board used to draw a resident or two, tops. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024

Since then, Spotify has updated the tab with links to the pop star’s merch as well as cryptic videos corresponding to clues revealed at Swift’s open-air library installation in Los Angeles. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French librarie, Medieval Latin librarium, from Latin, neuter of librarius of books, from libr-, liber inner bark, rind, book

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing library

• depository library
• inter-library
• lending library
• library paste
• library science
• mobile library
• reference library
• rental library

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Kids Definition

library

noun

li·​brary ˈlī-ˌbrer-ē 

plural libraries

1

a

: a place where books, magazines, and records are kept for use but not for sale

b

: a collection of books, magazines, or records

2

: a collection resembling or suggesting a library

a library of computer programs

Etymology

Middle English library, librarie "a place where books are kept," from Latin librarium (same meaning), from earlier librarius "of books," from liber "book" — related to libel see Word History at libel

Medical Definition

library

noun

li·​brary ˈlī-ˌbrer-ē 

plural libraries

: a collection of cloned DNA fragments that are maintained in a suitable cellular environment and that represent the genetic material of a particular organism or tissue

inserting segments from a library of human DNA into yeast cells

—Science News