book value

noun

: the value of something as shown on bookkeeping records as distinguished from market value:
a
: the value of an asset equal to cost minus depreciation
b
: the value of a corporation's stock equal to its book value minus its liabilities

Examples of book value in a Sentence

I paid $4,100 for the car four years ago, but its book value is now under $500.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The winger’s current book value is estimated to be around £2.75million ($3.7m), so any transfer fee beyond that would generate profit for the PSR calculations. Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 May 2025 To begin with, its valuation is considered fair, with the stock currently trading at just over 1x tangible book value (net assets minus goodwill). Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 GitLab has an economic book value, or no-growth value, of -$5/share. David Trainer, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 The forward price-earnings ratio is 6 and the REIT trades at 41% of its book value. John Navin, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for book value

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of book value was in 1839

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Book value.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/book%20value. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Legal Definition

book value

noun
: the value of something as shown on bookkeeping records as distinguished from market value: as
a
: the value of an asset equal to cost less depreciation
b
: the value of a corporation's capital stock expressed as its original cost less depreciation and liabilities
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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