telephone book

noun

1. a book, directory, or the like, usually containing an alphabetical list of telephone subscribers in a city or other area, together with their addresses and telephone numbers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of telephone book¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

The Parents’ Guide isn’t just a telephone book full of data.

From Voice of San Diego

Some people would have paid extra to not be on camera in their home, the same way people would pay extra to have their phone numbers left out of telephone books.

From Science News

There should a telephone book full of examples—so why stretch the truth?

From The Daily Beast

And by 1958, he felt so comfortable that he was listed under his real name in the Buenos Aires telephone book.

From The Daily Beast

Nick could make the telephone book sound interesting and invent a mystery out of eating a ham sandwich for lunch.

From The Daily Beast

I was about to give up in despair when the happy thought came that I might find it in the telephone book.

From Project Gutenberg

He asked for a telephone book, looked up the names under Gomez, copied the address of one Juan Gomez, and returned to his table.

From Project Gutenberg

Merry had found the address in the telephone book, and when the right number was reached, Dapple was brought to a standstill.

From Project Gutenberg

Ruth had no need to look in the telephone book to find the number of Flynn's book store.

From Project Gutenberg

Accordingly I wasted no further time, but turned on the hall light and took up the telephone-book.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• directory
• phone book
• yellow pages