textbook

American  

[tekst-book] / ˈtɛkstˌbʊk /

noun

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

• textbookish adjective

Etymology

Origin of textbook

First recorded in 1720–30; text + book

Example Sentences

For many years, biology textbooks have described protein movement inside cells as a largely random process called diffusion.

From Science Daily

A scruffy young man with a calculus textbook glances up from his homework and says, “Uh-huh. She used to live next to my cousin. What’s the problem?”

From Literature

Shoving away the queasy feeling that’s creeping into my gut, I slip my weekend essentials into my backpack along with my Moleskine sketchbook, my drawing pencils, and my chemistry textbook.

From Literature

Speaking to students at Harvard University, he laid out the textbook case for patience: Energy disruptions tend to be short-lived and monetary policy works too slowly to counteract them in real time.

From The Wall Street Journal

Powell, speaking to students at Harvard University, laid out the textbook case for patience: Energy disruptions tend to be short-lived, and monetary policy works too slowly to counteract them in real time.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• workbook