notebook

American  

[noht-book] / ˈnoʊtˌbʊk /

noun

1. a book of notes.

   They checked the sergeant's notebook for clues to his whereabouts.

2. a book or binder of blank, often ruled, pages on which to write, especially one used by students to take notes in class.

3. a book in which promissory notes are entered, registered, recorded, etc.

4. Digital Technology. a small, lightweight laptop computer.

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notebook British  

/ ˈnəʊtˌbʊk /

noun

1. a book for recording notes or memoranda

2. a book for registering promissory notes

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Etymology

Origin of notebook

First recorded in 1570–80; note + book

Example Sentences

On a notebook on her coffee table, she wrote Cynthia Renee Ortiz, doodling hearts around her prospective married name.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

He has a notebook, a pen, a flashlight and about 15 hours’ worth of oxygen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

"To cheer myself up, I write memories in my notebook every day. I keep the notebook in my closet, among my clothes, so that no one can access it," she said.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

"She looks in his notebook and says: 'You know, those are really interesting drawings. What are you doing here to be an English professor. You should be doing that for a living, not teaching English'."

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

I saw the bottom of Joanne Turner’s list, sticking out of her notebook: “Cheerful, good sport, graceful, fair to everybody.”

From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson

Related Words

• binder
• diary
• journal
• pad