a collection of books, periodicals, musical scores, films, phonograph records, etc., esp. a large, systematically arranged collection for reading or reference
a room or building where such a collection is kept
a public or private institution in charge of the care and circulation of such a collection
a set or series of books issued in a single format by a publishing house
any collection of things that is organized for a particular purpose: a software library
See library in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(līˈbrĕrˌē)
nounpl.li·brar·ies
a. A place in which literary and artistic materials, such as books, periodicals, newspapers, pamphlets, prints, records, and tapes, are kept for reading, reference, or lending.
b. A collection of such materials, especially when systematically arranged.
c. A room in a private home for such a collection.
d. An institution or foundation maintaining such a collection.
A commercial establishment that lends books for a fee.
A series or set of books issued by a publisher.
A collection of recorded data or tapes arranged for ease of use.
A set of things similar to a library in appearance, function, or organization: a library of computer programs.
Genetics A collection of cloned DNA sequences whose location and identity can be established by mapping the genome of a particular organism.