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

On public libraries, Adams’ plan proposes adding $15.7 million in extra funding for the city’s three systems’ operations. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025

Shop to help the library The Friends of Canyon Hills Library’s next flash book sale will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 13 and 14 at the library branch. —Sharon Hlapcich, Oc Register, 1 May 2025

Published on May 1, 2025 Photo : Knight Frank; Fine & Country The library inside the Captain’s House. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 May 2025

Illinois has long led the way in preserving and celebrating them, from our iconic Chicago museums to rural libraries and local historical societies across the state. —Chicago Tribune, 1 May 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

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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