book Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
    • I am reading a good book on economics
  2. noun physical objects consisting of a number of pages bound together
    volume.
    • he used a large book as a doorstop
  3. noun a compilation of the known facts regarding something or someone
    record; record book.
    • Al Smith used to say, `Let's look at the record'
    • his name is in all the record books
  4. noun a written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance
    playscript; script.
  5. noun a record in which commercial accounts are recorded
    book of account; account book; leger; ledger.
    • they got a subpoena to examine our books
  6. noun a collection of playing cards satisfying the rules of a card game
  7. noun a collection of rules or prescribed standards on the basis of which decisions are made
    rule book.
    • they run things by the book around here
  8. noun the sacred writings of Islam revealed by God to the prophet Muhammad during his life at Mecca and Medina
    Koran; Quran; al-Qur'an.
  9. noun the sacred writings of the Christian religions
    Christian Bible; Bible; Word; Word of God; Holy Writ; Holy Scripture; Good Book; Scripture.
    • he went to carry the Word to the heathen
  10. noun a major division of a long written composition
    • the book of Isaiah
  11. noun a number of sheets (ticket or stamps etc.) bound together on one edge
    • he bought a book of stamps
  12. verb engage for a performance
    • Her agent had booked her for several concerts in Tokyo
  13. verb arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance
    hold; reserve.
    • reserve me a seat on a flight
    • The agent booked tickets to the show for the whole family
    • please hold a table at Maxim's
  14. verb record a charge in a police register
    • The policeman booked her when she tried to solicit a man
  15. verb register in a hotel booker

WordNet


Book noun
Etymology
OE. book, bok, AS. bc; akin to Goth. bka a letter, in pl. book, writing, Icel. bk, Sw. bok, Dan. bog, OS. bk, D. boek, OHG. puoh, G. buch; and fr. AS. bc, bce, beech; because the ancient Saxons and Germans in general wrote runes on pieces of beechen board. Cf. Beech.
Definitions
  1. A collection of sheets of paper, or similar material, blank, written, or printed, bound together; commonly, many folded and bound sheets containing continuous printing or writing. ✍ When blank, it is called a blank book. When printed, the term often distinguishes a bound volume, or a volume of some size, from a pamphlet. ✍ It has been held that, under the copyright law, a book is not necessarily a volume made of many sheets bound together; it may be printed on a single sheet, as music or a diagram of patterns. Abbott.
  2. A composition, written or printed; a treatise.
    A good book is the precious life blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life. Milton.
  3. A part or subdivision of a treatise or literary work; as, the tenth book of "Paradise Lost."
  4. A volume or collection of sheets in which accounts are kept; a register of debts and credits, receipts and expenditures, etc.
  5. Six tricks taken by one side, in the game of whist; in certain other games, two or more corresponding cards, forming a set. Book is used adjectively or as a part of many compounds; as, book buyer, bookrack, book club, book lore, book sale, book trade, memorandum book, cashbook.
Book transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Booked present participle & verbal noun Booking
Definitions
  1. To enter, write, or register in a book or list.
    Let it be booked with the rest of this day's deeds. Shak.
  2. To enter the name of (any one) in a book for the purpose of securing a passage, conveyance, or seat; as, to be booked for Southampton; to book a seat in a theater.
  3. To mark out for; to destine or assign for; as, he is booked for the valedictory. Colloq.
    Here I am booked for three days more in Paris. Charles Reade.

Webster 1913