telephone book

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of telephone book

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

If you have ever had the misfortune to search through the telephone book for somebody called Hanna in Kilkeel, County Down, you will find nearly 50 entries.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2023

Roper equated election polling to stunts like "tearing a telephone book in two" – impressive, but not all that consequential.

From Salon • Oct. 25, 2022

But after López-Alt handed in a draft that was closer to the size of a telephone book, his editor decided his wok manuscript could stand on its own.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 10, 2021

He lived in a rented apartment in Santa Monica and listed his name in the telephone book.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2018

“I come ...” The Deputy Sub-Bursar heard no more; he had slipped out of the vestibule and was looking up a number in the telephone book.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

Related Words

• directory
• phone book
• yellow pages