booking

American  

[book-ing] / ˈbʊk ɪŋ /

noun

1. a contract, engagement, or scheduled performance of a professional entertainer.

2. reservation.

3. the act of a person who books.

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booking British  

/ ˈbʊkɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. a reservation, as of a table or room in a hotel, seat in a theatre, or seat on a train, aircraft, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      the booking office at a railway station

2. theatre an engagement for the services of an actor or acting company

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Etymology

Origin of booking

First recorded in 1635–45; book + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

U.S. carriers, and usually foreign ones too, are bound to the terms of the deal they strike with customers at the time of booking, said Clint Henderson, managing editor of travel site The Points Guy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Tolkan died Thursday in Lake Placid, N.Y., where he lived, his booking agent, John Alcantar, told the Associated Press on Saturday.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Carnival said Friday that demand for cruises is stronger than its ever been, with people already booking trips two years from now, but the company still cuts its profit outlook as fuel costs surge.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Stock markets were back to trading headlines on Wednesday, with major indexes around the world booking solid gains on reports of potential detente between the U.S. and Iran.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

My cop walked me in and sat me down at the front booking desk.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah