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

Instead of becoming “a full-throated rebuke” to the internet-driven decline of the reference book, the project sputtered to a halt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 14, 2025

"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 • Jan. 3, 2025

Excited delirium is not listed in the standard reference book of mental health conditions, nor does it have its own diagnostic code under a system used by health professionals to identify diseases and disorders.

From Scientific American • Oct. 16, 2023

The reference book receives about 1,000 submissions a week from people looking to establish new records for human achievement and the extremes of the natural world.

From Washington Times • Dec. 27, 2022

The Music Makers, edited by Clive Unger-Hamilton, is an easy-to-read combination of history and reference book.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

• almanac
• dictionary
• directory
• thesaurus