book
noun
\ ˈbu̇k
\
\
Definition of book
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a
: 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
g
: e-book
3
: something that yields knowledge or understanding
the great book of nature her face was an open book
4a(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
5a
: 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
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
: bookmaker
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
in one's book
in one's good books
one for the book
or one for the books
on the books
: in one's own opinion
: in favor with one
getting back in his boss's good books
: an act or occurrence worth noting
: on the records
outdated laws that are still on the books
book
adjectiveDefinition of book (Entry 2 of 3)
1
: derived from books (see book entry 1 sense 1) and not from practical experience
book learning
book
verb
booked;
booking;
books
Definition of book (Entry 3 of 3)
1a
: 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
2a
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