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

There’s no handbook for being 19 and having to deal with plagiarism allegations. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025

These categories do not appear in the Department’s regulations, however, or in any handbook or other official document. —Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025

For the first month, the culture ambassador (teammate/mentor) acts as a living handbook and morale booster who fields the un-Googleable questions, demonstrates how compassion looks in real time and runs a quick daily pulse check. —Aaron Marcum, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

The Annunciation Catholic School handbook offered an outline of some of its security policies. —Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 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