coffee-table book

American  

[kaw-fee tey-buhl, kof-ee-] / ˈkɔ fi ˌteɪ bəl, ˈkɒf i- /

noun

1. an oversize, expensive, and usually illustrated book suitable for displaying, as on a coffee table.

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coffee-table book British  

noun

1. a book designed to be looked at rather than read

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Etymology

Origin of coffee-table book

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

The guitar now has a prominent place in a new book dedicated to the Metallica guitarist’s stockpile of instruments, “The Collection: Kirk Hammett,” a 400-page coffee-table book from Gibson Publishing.

From Los Angeles Times

The 160-page coffee-table book features award-winning Times photography and reporting, with select pages in Spanish.

From Los Angeles Times

A coffee-table book is in the works, as well.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s harder on my eyes, my body. My muscles are a little tighter. A printed coffee-table book, including a National Geographic, is a lean back — I lean back on my sofa, open it and relax.”

From New York Times

Mr Msimang’s house is furnished with tributes to the ANC’s iconic former leader – a life-size painting of Nelson Mandela, a coffee-table book bearing his name.

From BBC