1
a
: a set of written sheets of skin or paper or tablets of wood or ivory
b
: a set of written, printed, or blank sheets bound together between a front and back cover
an address book
c
: a long written or printed literary composition
reading a good book
reference books
hardcover and paperback books
d
: a major division of a treatise or literary work
the books of the Bible
e
accounting
: a record of a business's financial transactions or financial condition
—often used in plural
the books show a profit
see also cook the books
g
: e-book
2
capitalized
: bible sense 1
put his hand on the Book and took the oath
3
: something that yields knowledge or understanding
the great book of nature
her face was an open book
4
a(1)
: the total available knowledge and experience that can be brought to bear on a task or problem
tried every trick in the book
(2)
: inside information or analysis
the book on him is that he can't hit a curveball
b
: the standards or authority relevant in a situation
runs her business by the book
5
a
: all the charges that can be made against an accused person
threw the book at him
b
: a position from which one must answer for certain acts : account
bring criminals to book
6
a
musical theater
: libretto
b
: the script of a play
c
music
: a book of arrangements for a musician or dance orchestra : musical repertory
7
: a packet of items bound together like a book
a book of stamps
a book of matches
8
gambling
a
b
: the bets registered by a bookmaker
also
: the business or activity of giving odds (see odds sense 3b) and taking bets
9
card games
: the number of tricks (see trick entry 1 sense 4) a cardplayer or side must win before any trick can have scoring value
1
: derived from books (see book entry 1 sense 1) and not from practical experience
book learning
2
accounting
: shown by ledgers
book assets
booked; booking; books
1
a
: to register (something, such as a name) for some future activity or condition (as to engage transportation or reserve lodgings)
he was booked to sail on Monday
b
: to schedule engagements for
book the band for a week
c
: to set aside time for
booking a strategy meeting
d
: to reserve in advance
book two seats at the theater
tried to make reservations, but they were all booked up
2
a
law enforcement
: to enter charges against in a police register
was booked on suspicion of murder
b
of a referee
: to note the name or number of (someone, such as a soccer player) for a serious infraction of the rules
booking him for a late tackle
1
: to make a reservation
book through your travel agent
2
chiefly British
: to register in a hotel
—usually used with in
went to the hotel and booked in
booker
noun
Synonyms
Examples of book in a Sentence
Noun
The shelves in his office are filled with books.
That's one of the best books I've read in a long time.
a novelist who has written some wonderful books
The library has many dictionaries and other reference books.
the books of the Bible
a story that is told in the Book of Job
Adjective
His schooling provided him with extensive book knowledge.
She had plenty of book learning but no hands-on experience.
Verb
They booked two seats at the theater.
They booked tickets for a direct flight from London to New York.
I booked a table at our favorite restaurant.
She booked through her travel agent.
We will need to book early.
She booked me on a flight from Oslo to Paris.
He was booked to sail on Monday.
The band was booked to play at the reception.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 25 Sep. 2024
Based on Peter Brown’s book of the same name, the story was written by Anthony Bagarozzi, Charles Mondry, and David Lee Henry.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 25 Sep. 2024
Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2023
Here's the good: Officials said decades of relationship-building have allowed them to re-book critical revenue-driving conventions as early as 2022.
—David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Aug. 2020
Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024
The airline said on Thursday that its passengers will be able to book a reserved seat in late 2025 and those seats will start to become available on flights in early 2026.
—Chris Isidore, CNN, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for book 
Noun
Within the lengthy declaration, the children claim that their mother never wrote a book, asserting that the tome that is now an Amazon bestseller is full of lies.
—Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 25 Sep. 2024
Based on Peter Brown’s book of the same name, the story was written by Anthony Bagarozzi, Charles Mondry, and David Lee Henry.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 25 Sep. 2024
Adjective
In addition to paying for the cruise itself, travelers can add things like a cabin upgrade or pre-book onboard amenities and shore excursions through the system.
—Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2023
Here's the good: Officials said decades of relationship-building have allowed them to re-book critical revenue-driving conventions as early as 2022.
—David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Aug. 2020
Verb
Berg recommended setting price alerts – which notify travelers if airfare decreases – now and booking within the next two weeks.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024
The airline said on Thursday that its passengers will be able to book a reserved seat in late 2025 and those seats will start to become available on flights in early 2026.
—Chris Isidore, CNN, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for book
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'book.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near book
Cite this Entry
“Book.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/book. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
book
1 of 3 noun1
: a set of sheets of paper bound together
2
a
: a long written work
b
: a major division of a written work
3
a
: a volume of business records
the company's books show a profit
b
plural
: record entry 2 sense 2b
an outdated law still on the books
4
capitalized
: bible sense 1a
5
: a pack of items bound together
a book of matches
book
2 of 3 verb1
: reserve entry 1 sense 3
book a hotel room
2
: to schedule engagements for
book a singer
3
: to enter charges against in a police register
book a suspect
book
3 of 3 adjective1
: gotten from books
book learning
2
: shown by account books
book value
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