book

Pronunciation

• enPR: bo͝ok, IPA ^(key): /bʊk/
• SAMPA: /bUk/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Noun

Singular book

Plural books

A book

1. (countable) A book is a lot of paper joined together with writing and pictures printed on them for you to read or write in.

   I borrow books from the library, and keep them in a bookcase.

2. (countable) A book is a group of stamps, matches, tickets, etc., held together inside a paper cover.
3. (plural) A company's books are its money records.

   An outside accountant kept the books and signed the checks until he joined the company.

Related words

• bookshelf
• bookseller
• booklet
• bookstore
• bookcase
• bookkeeping
• bookkeeper
• bookbinder
• bookish
• bookmark
• bookie
• bookworm
• notebook
• cookbook
• textbook
• handbook
• chequebook
• guidebook
• pocketbook
• yearbook
• storybook
• scrapbook

Verb

Plain form book

Third-person singular books

Past tense booked

Past participle booked

Present participle booking

1. (transitive) If you book something or someone, you reserve them for a certain time.
   • Synonyms: engage, order and reserve

   I want to book a hotel room for tomorrow night.

   I can book tickets for the concert next week.

2. (transitive) (law) If you book someone, you officially put their name in police records for a crime.
   • Synonym: record

   The police booked him for driving too fast.

Related words

• booking