book

1 of 3

noun

1
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 between a front and back cover
an address book
c
: a long written or printed literary composition
reading a good book
reference books
hardcover and paperback books
d
: a major division of a treatise or literary work
the books of the Bible
e
accounting : a record of a business's financial transactions or financial condition
often used in plural
the books show a profit
see also cook the books
g
: e-book
2
capitalized : bible sense 1
put his hand on the Book and took the oath
3
: something that yields knowledge or understanding
the great book of nature
her face was an open book
4
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
runs her business by the book
5
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
6
a
musical theater : libretto
b
: the script of a play
c
music : a book of arrangements for a musician or dance orchestra : musical repertory
7
: a packet of items bound together like a book
a book of stamps
a book of matches
8
gambling
a
b
: the bets registered by a bookmaker
also : the business or activity of giving odds (see odds sense 3b) and taking bets
9
card games : the number of tricks (see trick entry 1 sense 4) a cardplayer or side must win before any trick can have scoring value
bookful noun

book

2 of 3

adjective

1
: derived from books (see book entry 1 sense 1) and not from practical experience
book learning
2
accounting : shown by ledgers
book assets

book

3 of 3

verb

booked; booking; books

transitive verb

1
a
: to register (something, such 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
booking a strategy meeting
d
: to reserve in advance
book two seats at the theater
tried to make reservations, but they were all booked up
2
a
law enforcement : to enter charges against in a police register
was booked on suspicion of murder
b
of a referee : to note the name or number of (someone, such as a soccer player) for a serious infraction of the rules
booking him for a late tackle

intransitive verb

1
: to make a reservation
book through your travel agent
2
chiefly British : to register in a hotel
usually used with in
went to the hotel and booked in
3
slang : leave, go
especially : to depart quickly
We booked out of there.
bookable adjective chiefly British
booker noun
Phrases
in one's book
: in one's own opinion
in one's good books
: in favor with one
getting back in his boss's good books
one for the book or one for the books
: an act or occurrence worth noting
on the books
: on the records
outdated laws that are still on the books

Examples of book in a Sentence

Noun The shelves in his office are filled with books. That's one of the best books I've read in a long time. a novelist who has written some wonderful books The library has many dictionaries and other reference books. the books of the Bible a story that is told in the Book of Job Adjective His schooling provided him with extensive book knowledge. She had plenty of book learning but no hands-on experience. Verb They booked two seats at the theater. They booked tickets for a direct flight from London to New York. I booked a table at our favorite restaurant. She booked through her travel agent. We will need to book early. She booked me on a flight from Oslo to Paris. He was booked to sail on Monday. The band was booked to play at the reception.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The museum is also known for its impressive collections of books pertaining to Oklahoma history. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2024 Pink’s Summer Carnival tour of Australia and New Zealand is yet to wrap, but it’s already logged in the history books. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2024 While the unfinished book served as a compass, Meffire also kept an open line of communication with Bauer throughout the shoot. Ed Meza, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 The institutions matter even more today as lawmakers in some states push to restrict the teaching of Black history and ban some books that tell this history, experts said. Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 Kate Middleton’s whereabouts have been dominating headlines in recent weeks, but a member of the Royal Family adjacent is also making news for his new tell-all book. Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024 Spreitzer also noted Republicans rejected funding for electronic poll books during the state budget process. Journal Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2024 There are a lot of loving nods to the romance genre in your book. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2024 So does one character out of Jessica’s books, Simon the Spider (the foe of Molly Millipede), who comes to life as an oversize nightmare. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024
Adjective
In addition to paying for the cruise itself, travelers can add things like a cabin upgrade or pre-book onboard amenities and shore excursions through the system. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2023 Here's the good: Officials said decades of relationship-building have allowed them to re-book critical revenue-driving conventions as early as 2022. David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Aug. 2020 Beamed directly to the book, and beamed (via an intra-book search) to the piece of information. Mark Changizi, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2013 Entertainment Tonight shared the details of a multi-book deal worth at least $35 million. Diego Lasarte, Quartz, 6 Jan. 2023 Of course, there will be perks for Mercedes owners—they’ll be able to pre-book charging appointments and be prioritized by the network. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 6 Jan. 2023 Multi-book reviews warrant much more space for overview and discussion. Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2010 Global users can now pre-book rides for every leg of their journey, each of which earns 10% back in Uber Cash to spend on future travels or food delivery orders. Matthew Humphries, PCMAG, 14 Nov. 2022 Hoping to replicate the success of Halo and its accompanying novels, Microsoft signed a multi-book deal with Tor, one of the most prominent science fiction and fantasy imprints, and brought on award-winning author Greg Rucka to helm the project. Greg Leporati, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2022
Verb
With the start of the spring season, Breeze Airways announced on Wednesday a promotional discount of 34 percent off all round-trip base fares booked by 11:59 p.m. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024 The teenagers were booked into the Salt Lake Valley Detention Center on multiple felony homicide charges, CBS affiliate KUTV reported. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024 By July 2022, she was booked on a flight to Yangon and upon arrival told to rest up in a hotel. TIME, 21 Mar. 2024 After being cleared, he was booked into the Waukesha County Jail. Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024 The band is booked by Justin Edwards at WME and managed by Michael Iurato at In De Goot Entertainment. Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2024 Boulud’s team can also be booked for private in-unit dining, where dedicated butlers will greet guests with a champagne service, followed by tasting menus that include dishes like Boulud’s signature duo de boeuf, and other French favorites. Tim Chan, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 There's still time to book lodging but act quickly. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 18 Mar. 2024 Romero was initially booked with an additional charge of attempt to commit rape, which has been dropped. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'book.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Adjective, and Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of book was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near book

Cite this Entry

“Book.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/book. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

book

1 of 3 noun
1
: a set of sheets of paper bound together
2
a
: a long written work
b
: a major division of a written work
3
a
: a volume of business records
the company's books show a profit
b
plural : record entry 2 sense 2b
an outdated law still on the books
4
capitalized : bible sense 1a
5
: a pack of items bound together
a book of matches

book

2 of 3 verb
1
: reserve entry 1 sense 3
book a hotel room
2
: to schedule engagements for
book a singer
3
: to enter charges against in a police register
book a suspect

book

3 of 3 adjective
1
: gotten from books
book learning
2
: shown by account books
book value

Legal Definition

book

1 of 2 noun
1
: a record of a business's financial transactions or financial condition
often used in pl.
the books show a profit
2
3
: the bets registered by a bookmaker
also : the business or activity of giving odds and taking bets

book

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to make (an arrested person) undergo booking

More from Merriam-Webster on book

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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