textbook

American  

[tekst-book] / ˈtɛkstˌbʊk /

noun

textbooks plural

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

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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

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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

See Examples For:

textbook textbooks

My middle-school civics textbook barely dedicated a paragraph to this 1801 war between the U.S and a group of North African states, which has been described as “America’s first war on terrorism.”

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

But there could be, because the plot of “Young Washington” plays out with all the thrill of a textbook chapter.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

Microsoft is the textbook example of how to leverage parallel bets.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 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

Anthony glances up from his textbook, shaking his head a little with warning.

From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender

The “standard” anatomy shown in textbooks is therefore best understood not as a universal blueprint, but as a simplified reference point within a wide biological range.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 21, 2026

The only real rule is to seek out jars with ingredient lists that read more like recipes than chemistry textbooks and, if possible, contain visible evidence of the fruit itself.

From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2026

He wears pressure garments through Ahmedabad's heat and struggles to turn the pages of textbooks.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2026

Beginning next year, eligible families can spend the scholarship money on tuition at private or religious schools, or they can put it toward textbooks, tutoring services, after-school programs and other education-related expenses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026

“I see your textbooks have had a rough day.”

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

Related Words

• workbook