telephone book

American  

noun

telephone books plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• telephone books
  plural

Etymology

Origin of telephone book

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

She holds on to her husband’s possessions — his telephone book and wallet — as if they were jewels.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2024

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

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

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2018

Ben found the number scribbled on the cover of the small thin Ravenel telephone book.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• directory
• phone book
• yellow pages