library

[lahy-brer-ee, -bruh-ree, -bree]

noun

plural

libraries 

1. a place set apart to contain books, periodicals, and other material for reading, viewing, listening, study, or reference, as a room, set of rooms, or building where books may be read or borrowed.

2. a public body organizing and maintaining such an establishment.

3. a collection of manuscripts, publications, and other materials for reading, viewing, listening, study, or reference.

4. a collection of any materials for study and enjoyment, as films, musical recordings, or maps.

5. a commercial establishment lending books for a fixed charge; a lending library.

6. a series of books of similar character or alike in size, binding, etc., issued by a single publishing house.

7. Biology.,  a collection of standard materials or formulations by which specimens are identified.

8. canon.

9. Computers.,  a collection of software or data usually reflecting a specific theme or application.

library

/ ˈlaɪbrərɪ /

noun

1. a room or set of rooms where books and other literary materials are kept

2. a collection of literary materials, films, CDs, children's toys, etc, kept for borrowing or reference

3. the building or institution that houses such a collection

   a public library

4. a set of books published as a series, often in a similar format

5. computing a collection of standard programs and subroutines for immediate use, usually stored on disk or some other storage device

6. a collection of specific items for reference or checking against

   a library of genetic material

Pronunciation Note

Library, with one r -sound following close upon another, is particularly vulnerable to the process of dissimilation—the tendency for neighboring like sounds to become unlike, or for one of them to disappear altogether. The pronunciation , therefore, while still the most common, is frequently reduced by educated speakers, both in the U.S. and in England, to the dissimilated or . A third dissimilated form is more likely to be heard from less educated or very young speakers, and is often criticized. See colonel, February, governor.

Other Word Forms

• interlibrary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of library¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English libraire, from Middle French librairie, from Medieval Latin librāria, noun use of feminine of Latin librārius (adjective) “of books,” from libr-, stem of liber “book” + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of library¹

C14: from Old French librairie, from Medieval Latin librāris, n use of Latin librārius relating to books, from liber book

Example Sentences

It includes a literacy and numeracy scheme "to set national bench marks" and a library in every primary school.

Read more on BBC

And the location was changed, with the temporary space — which probably will stand for several years while the library is being rebuilt — now set to be placed atop two tennis courts at the rec center.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And although his style looks easy, like he’s loping to the library, it’s profoundly efficient.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Clapper was also the executive member for education, libraries and lifelong learning on Hertfordshire County Council - before the Conservatives lost control of that authority.

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The responses make up a tremendous library of wisdom from others who have faced frightening medical situations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal