library
playDefinition of library
libraries
1a : a place in which literary, musical, artistic, or reference materials (such as books, manuscripts, recordings, or films) are kept for use but not for saleb : a collection of such materials a library of jazz recordings
2a : a collection resembling or suggesting a library an illustrations libraryb : morgue 2
3a : a series of related books issued by a publisher a Dickens libraryb : 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
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How do you pronounce library?
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.
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 of library from the Web
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The club meets from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Thursday at the library, and new members are welcome.
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Hobbies Evergreen Tabletop Expo FRI-SUN Game night, demo library, meet designers and publishers,
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The Utah capital’s library system has decided no longer to fine patrons who turn in books late.
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Mr. Johnson was at the Fairfax library, too, holding a tote bag full of books.
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The public was invited the meet the finalists at a gathering at the central library on March 13.
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His last wife, Lydia, successfully won a $60,000 grant in 1899 from Andrew Carnegie to build San Diego’s first public library — and the industrialist’s first such grant west of the Mississippi.
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A special visit to that library, 1050 Curtiss St., Downers Grove, is definitely in order.
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The high ceiling, black marble fireplace and the wall of bookshelves with a library ladder —
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'library'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of library
Middle English, from Anglo-French librarie, Medieval Latin librarium, from Latin, neuter of librarius of books, from libr-, liber inner bark, rind, book
LIBRARY Defined for English Language Learners
library
playDefinition of library for English Language Learners
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: a place where books, magazines, and other materials (such as videos and musical recordings) are available for people to use or borrow
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: a room in a person's house where books are kept
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: a collection of similar things (such as books or recordings)
LIBRARY Defined for Kids
library
playDefinition of library for Students
libraries
1 : a place where literary or reference materials (as books, manuscripts, recordings, or films) are kept for use but are not for sale
2 : a collection of literary or reference materials They have a large personal library.
Medical Dictionary
library
playMedical Definition of library
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
Learn More about library
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See words that rhyme with library Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for library Spanish Central: Translation of library Nglish: Translation of library for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of library for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about library
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