Book definition
To designate a time for; schedule.
Let's book a meeting for next month.
verb
Something regarded as a subject for study.
The book of life.
noun
Any of the main divisions of a long written or printed work, as of the Bible.
noun
Appearing in a company's financial records.
Book profits.
adjective
Advertisement
(informal) To move or travel rapidly.
We booked along at a nice clip.
verb
Studies; lessons.
noun
Of or relating to knowledge learned from books rather than actual experience.
Has book smarts but not street smarts.
adjective
The body of facts, traits, or circumstances connected with a person or subject, esp. as being understandable, evident, etc. [an open book] or obscure, done with, etc.
A closed book.
noun
To record in a book; list.
verb
Advertisement
To engage ahead of time, as rooms, transportation, performers or performances, etc.
verb
To record charges against on a police record.
verb
To take (bets) as a bookmaker.
verb
In, from, or according to books or accounts.
adjective
The definition of book is a story or collection of stories that can be read.
An example of book is a novel by John Grisham.
noun
Advertisement
To book is defined as to make reservations for something in advance.
An example of book is when you buy airline ticket reservations.
verb
A pack of like or similar items bound together.
A book of matches.
noun
A record of bets placed on a race.
noun
(games) The number of card tricks needed before any tricks can have scoring value, as the first six tricks taken by the declaring side in bridge.
noun
A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers.
noun
Advertisement
An e-book or other electronic resource structured like a book.
noun
A printed or written literary work.
Did you ever finish writing that book?
noun
A main division of a larger printed or written work.
A book of the Old Testament.
noun
A volume in which financial or business transactions are recorded.
noun
Financial or business records considered as a group.
Checked the expenditures on the books.
noun
Advertisement
A libretto.
noun
The script of a play.
noun
The Bible.
noun
The Koran.
noun
A set of prescribed standards or rules on which decisions are based.
Runs the company by the book.
noun
Advertisement
Something regarded as a source of knowledge or understanding.
noun
The total amount of experience, knowledge, understanding, and skill that can be used in solving a problem or performing a task.
We used every trick in the book to finish the project on schedule.
noun
(informal) Factual information, especially of a private nature.
What's the book on him?
noun
To be hired for or engaged in.
The actor has booked his next movie with that director.
verb
To arrange for or purchase (tickets or lodgings, for example) in advance; reserve.
verb
Advertisement
To arrange a reservation, as for a hotel room, for (someone).
Book me into the best hotel in town.
verb
To hire or engage.
Booked a band for Saturday night.
verb
To list or register in a book.
Booked the revenue from last month's sales.
verb
To list or record appointments or engagements in.
A calendar that was booked solid on Tuesday.
verb
To record information about (a suspected offender) after arrest in preparation for arraignment, usually including a criminal history search, fingerprinting, and photographing.
verb
Advertisement
(sports) To record the flagrant fouls of (a player) for possible disciplinary action, as in soccer.
verb
To make a reservation.
Book early if you want good seats.
verb
A booklike package, as of matches or tickets.
noun
(bridge) A certain number of tricks that must be won before additional tricks count in the score; specif., the first six tricks won by the declarer.
noun
A number of sheets of paper, parchment, etc. with writing or printing on them, fastened together along one edge, usually between protective covers.
noun
Advertisement
A literary or scientific work, anthology, etc. so prepared, distinguished by length and form from a magazine, tract, etc.
noun
A set of blank or ruled sheets or printed forms bound in a tablet, for the entry of accounts, records, notes, etc.
An account book.
noun
The records or accounts, as of a business, kept in such a book or books.
noun
The words of an opera or musical play; libretto.
noun
The script of a play.
noun
Advertisement
A list or record of bets taken and the odds given, as by bookmakers on horse races.
noun
A trader’s positions, or list of investments.
A broker’s or investment manager’s list of clients, which is called a book of business.
A ledger or register recording particular transactions or events such as financial transactions and police arrests.
To enter or record the details of a transaction or event into such a book.
The process at a police station of completing an arrest, including fingerprinting and photographing the defendant.
verb
bring to book
- To demand an explanation from; call to account.
idiom
in (one's) book
- In one's opinion:In my book they both are wrong.
idiom
like a book
- Thoroughly; completely:I know my child like a book.
idiom
one for the books
- A noteworthy act or occurrence.
idiom
throw the book at
- To make all possible charges against (a lawbreaker, for example).
- To reprimand or punish severely.
idiom
bring to book
- to force to explain; demand an accounting from
- to reprimand
idiom
by the book
- according to the rules; in the prescribed or usual way
idiom
close the book on
- to put an end to
- to put an end to further consideration, discussion, etc. of
idiom
close the books
- to make no further entries, balance the books, and draw up statements from them
idiom
in one's book
- in one's opinion
idiom
in one's good (or bad) books
- in (or out of) one's favor, or good graces
idiom
in the book
- in all that is known and practiced in connection with a particular activityTo know every trick in the book.
idiom
keep books
- to keep a record of business transactions
idiom
know (or read) like a book
- to know well or fully
idiom
make book
- to make or accept a bet or bets
idiom
one for the books
- something notably surprising, shocking, or unexpected
idiom
on the books
- recorded
- listed; enrolled
idiom
the Book
- the Bible
idiom
the book
- any set of rules, pronouncements, etc. regarded as authoritative
idiom
throw the book at
- to place every possible pertinent charge against (an accused person)
- to deal out the maximum in punishment, penalty, etc. to
idiom
(informal) write the book on
- to be the definitive authority or expert on
- to be the embodiment ofShe wrote the book on selfishness.
idiom
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs
like a book
one for the books
close the books
in one's good (<i>or</i> bad) books
in the book
keep books
know (<i>or</i> read) like a book
one for the books
the Book
the book
write the book on
Origin of book
- Middle English bok from Old English bōc bhāgo- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- Perhaps shortening and alteration (influenced by book) of boogie
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition