textbook

1 of 2

noun

text·​book ˈteks(t)-ˌbu̇k How to pronounce textbook (audio)
: a book used in the study of a subject: such as
a
: one containing a presentation of the principles of a subject
b
: a literary work relevant to the study of a subject

textbook

2 of 2

adjective

: of, suggesting, or suitable to a textbook
especially : classic
a textbook example of bureaucratic waste

Examples of textbook in a Sentence

Noun one shelf in my bookcase is crammed full of my old college textbooks Adjective a textbook example of a film that captures the feel of the novel on which it is based
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Anne Hathaway — The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Anne Hathaway's take on Selina Kyle is a textbook example of contemporizing a timely character, which was emblematic of what Christopher Nolan did with the Dark Knight trilogy. Rendy Jones, EW.com, 19 July 2024 Built in 2013, the design of the property is textbook Jacobsen, with gabled roofs, clean white interiors, and a skillful use of natural light. Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 18 July 2024
Adjective
But for some of these patients, the cause of their seemingly textbook mental issues isn’t from an anomaly of brain chemistry or function, but from Lyme disease – the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S. Matt Benoit, Discover Magazine, 22 June 2022 Guyton, the second Black woman to host A Capitol Fourth after Vanessa Williams, recognizes that her own swift and dramatic rise to stardom after years of dues-paying and nearly quitting performing entirely is a textbook American success story. Scott Huver, PEOPLE.com, 1 July 2022 See all Example Sentences for textbook 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'textbook.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1779, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of textbook was in 1779

Dictionary Entries Near textbook

Cite this Entry

“Textbook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/textbook. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

textbook

noun
text·​book
ˈteks(t)-ˌbu̇k
: a book used in the study of a subject

More from Merriam-Webster on textbook

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