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

The entry hall leads to a living room with a fireplace and bay window, according to its listing, and a library opens into the garden room. —Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026

In addition, the library’s courtyards have been enhanced, with a ceremony celebrating their public reopening set for May 21. —Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026

There’s a library in the Great Room and TV and movies in the game room. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026

Its pilot will be written by Mike Daniels, who just got an NBC series order for his take on another high-profile title from the NBCUniversal library, The Rockford Files, and Wolfe Coleman. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 May 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