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

• 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

Mindful Movement with Breath yoga class: 2:45-4:15 p.m., Ramona Community Library, 1275 Main St. Hank Newman is returning to the library to teach yoga. —Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025

The game library is an assortment of old titles (like Fruit Ninja), and new games that feature familiar faces (from Sesame Street, Barbie, TMNT, and more), to new takes on classic games (Candy Land). —PC Magazine, 11 July 2025

Speaking from experience, the book choices seem limitless—from my beloved authors like Kristin Hannah and Taylor Jenkins Reid to recommendations from friends, the Kindle Paperwhite library always has a new adventure awaiting. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2025

Prepared Food Photos portfolio, through a marketing partnership with Food Media Pro, boasts over 400 recipe videos in addition to the expansive photography library both companies now possess. —Jon Stojan, Freep.com, 10 July 2025

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

'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine

'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.

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