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 of library

• 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

Women in crisp, white blouses and stylish glasses sip on their complimentary check-in margaritas while their husbands in loafers, jeans, and blue blazers wheel their bags into the library to catch a peek at the 3,700-volume collection. —Diana Oates, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2026

Current state law requires school library books to reflect the community standards for the population the library serves. —Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 5 Feb. 2026

In San Diego County, this year’s festivities take place from late January through early March and they can be found everywhere from malls to parks and libraries. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026

Langstraat Bui also served on the Lookingglass Theatre Company board and sat on the board of United for Libraries, a national board of advocates for public libraries. —Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for library

• askari
• astbury
• azeri
• banbury
• barberry
• blackberry
• blueberry
• canary
• cranberry
• dentary
• dewberry
• dogberry

Video

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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