bookend

American  

[book-end] / ˈbʊkˌɛnd /

noun

1. a support placed at the end of a row of books to hold them upright, usually used in pairs.

2. one of two things occurring or located at either end of something else.

   two events that served as bookends to my career.

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verb (used with object)

1. to occur or be located at the beginning and end of.

   His term in office was bookended by crises.

Etymology

Origin of bookend

First recorded in 1905–10; book + end ¹

Example Sentences

Wednesday’s decision is a bookend in a lengthy investigation into Eastman’s actions that began in 2021.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The episode, far from rekindling a sibling bond, turned out to be a bookend in the two brothers’ relationship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

We bookend this week with a couple of primaries to watch in Texas on Tuesday—beyond the Senate primaries, as you already know to watch those.

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2026

The initial reaction to Zscaler’s earnings put the stock on course to bookend the week with sharp declines—who’d be a software investor?

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

It doesn’t appear that Robert was unhappy about the new baby; he just seemed to get a kick out of the name’s bookend effect.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt