textbook

American  

[tekst-book] / ˈtɛkstˌbʊk /

noun

textbooks plural

1. a book used by students as a standard work for a particular branch of study.

---

adjective

1. pertaining to, characteristic of, or seemingly suitable for inclusion in a textbook; typical; classic.

   a textbook case.

textbook British  

/ ˈtɛkstˌbʊk /

noun

1. 1. a book used as a standard source of information on a particular subject

   2. ( as modifier )

      a textbook example

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• textbookish
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• textbooks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of textbook

First recorded in 1720–30; text + book

Explanation

A textbook is an informational book that you use specifically for a class at school. Your biology textbook might be so heavy that you dread lugging it to class. Textbooks are manuals written for instruction in a subject, rather than books you might read for fun. Today many students read textbooks in electronic form, rather than as bound hardcovers. Starting around the 19th century (with easy access to printing and standardized education in many parts of the world), textbooks became a common educational tool. Earlier, a textbook was a name for "a book with wide spaces between the lines."

Example Sentences

The stock has fallen by 31% from its all-time intraday high of $225.64, officially sinking it past the 20% threshold that defines a textbook bear market.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026

Leaf through a textbook, watch a wellness influencer or listen in at the gym, and it can feel as though the human body has already been mapped to exhaustion.

From Science Daily • Jun. 21, 2026

After two speeches from textbook campaign types, including Susannah Carr from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and former New York 12 candidate Jami Floyd, Schlossberg emerged onto the stage, flanked inexplicably by two bagpipers.

From Slate • Jun. 18, 2026

He had a diploma to pick up, a high school textbook to return and fall classes to register for at El Camino College.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026

Pong had only ever seen a portrait of him in a textbook, but even from the picture, he could tell that the Governor was someone who would understand him.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

Related Words

• workbook