reference book

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.

reference book

noun

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

2. another name for passbook

Word History and Origins

Origin of reference book¹

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.

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

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"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."

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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.

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

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Related Words

• almanac 
• dictionary 
• directory 
• thesaurus