handbook

noun

hand·​book ˈhan(d)-ˌbu̇k 

1

a

: a book capable of being conveniently carried as a ready reference : manual

b

: a concise reference book covering a particular subject

2

a

: a bookmaker's book of bets

b

: a place where bookmaking is carried on

Synonyms

• manual
• textbook
• text
• dictionary

Examples of handbook in a Sentence

a handbook of grammar

Recent Examples on the Web

The student handbook says that students’ cellphones should not be seen, heard or accessed for any reason during class time. —Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025

Drivers and employees are also weighing in on an update of the department’s decade-old handbook and helping to create a new policy that determines who gets to pick up field trip gigs. —Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025

Universities have numerous rules related to governance, with faculty often having an important stake and students having rights and duties as expressed in handbooks. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 June 2025

These need to be easily found in your company handbook and reviewed and updated regularly. —Harry Kazakian, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for handbook

• betook
• casebook
• chapbook
• checkbook
• chinook
• codebook
• cookbook
• fishhook
• forsook
• guidebook
• hornbook
• logbook

Kids Definition

handbook

noun

hand·​book -ˌbu̇k 

: a small book of facts or useful information usually about a particular subject : manual