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

The cases are a textbook attempt at jackpot injustice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

When reality stops following the textbook, the textbook usually left out a chapter.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

He co-authored the influential textbook Quantum Optics, a resource that has educated generations of physicists.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 5, 2026

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

Seven had her tongue out on one side, holding up two fingers like she’d seen humdrums do in a textbook once, and Thorn smiled wide.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

They get to be in the textbooks, but they didn’t get to be on the air.

From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026

But textbooks create a misleading sense of certainty.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 21, 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

It looks like the sort of note Elsbeth and I used to pass, composed in secret behind our textbooks and handed off as we passed in the hallway.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• workbook