reference book

American  

noun

1. a book containing useful facts or specially organized information, as an encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, yearbook, etc.

2. Also called pass, passbook.  South African.  a domestic identity document formerly required to be carried by Black citizens.

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reference book British  

noun

1. a book, such as an encyclopedia, dictionary, etc, from which information may be obtained

2. another name for passbook

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Etymology

Origin of reference book

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The landmark legal reference book he edits, Black’s Law Dictionary, is as much a fixture of American courts as black robes, rosewood gavels and brass scales of justice.

From Los Angeles Times

After bringing her treasures home, she looks them up on Google and her reference books.

From Los Angeles Times

"Conversation over the supper table was always lively, our mother Mary very much held her own meanwhile David was ready with a reference book to look up something that was being disputed."

From BBC

On other days, you’d likely find him on the gallery’s mezzanine, buried among stacks of reference books to examine the artistic and historical quality of centuries-old and contemporary lithographs, etchings, engravings and other prints.

From Seattle Times

Alsobrook scoured reference books, databases and other online resources, to no avail.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• almanac
• dictionary
• directory
• thesaurus