handbook
Americannoun
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a book of instruction or guidance, as for an occupation; manual.
a handbook of radio.
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a guidebook for travelers.
a handbook of Italy.
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a reference book in a particular field.
a medical handbook.
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a scholarly book on a specific subject, often consisting of separate essays or articles.
a handbook of lectures on criticism.
noun
Etymology
Origin of handbook
Translation of German Handbuch
Explanation
A handbook is a guide or list of instructions on one particular subject. A new car comes with a handbook explaining how its controls work and giving tips for problems that arise. Sometimes new parents wish their newborn infant came with a handbook. A handbook is a type of reference book, offering information about a topic or a machine. Your bird handbook might include pictures of birds in your region, and the handbook that came with your blender will tell you how to use it and also might include several smoothie recipes. In Old English, it was handboc, though in Middle English this was replaced by manual, thought at the time to be a much prettier word.
Vocabulary lists containing handbook
Reading: Informational - Middle School
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Reading: Informational - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He often speaks straight from the McCullum philosophical handbook.
From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026
You appear to be quite familiar with the Social Security Administration’s handbook, but I would also recommend reviewing and highlighting Sections 401-409 on widow’s benefits before your next meeting with the agency.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025
Pointedly, there was Timothy Snyder’s tidy pocket-sized handbook “On Tyranny” filled with 20 short but fortifying chapters of practical wisdom like “Do not obey in advance,” “Defend institutions” and “Believe in truth.”
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2025
But NAR said Monday that its 2026 handbook for MLSes won’t recommend that local databases mandate membership for the agents who use it.
From Barron's • Nov. 17, 2025
There is no handbook for incoming first ladies of the United States.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
