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

Derived Forms

• textbookish
  adjective

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

However, these natural versions usually do not contain the obvious central points found in textbook examples.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

The reality is that Mendeleev had a contract to produce a chemistry textbook.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

Financial markets by their nature don’t follow a script, so chart watchers can’t help but get excited when they see a textbook chart pattern appear in a widely followed index.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

Another five publications followed, including a 2025 textbook on continued fractions published by Springer.

From Slate • May 2, 2026

She gave me an old high school textbook and sat me in the back of the classroom.

From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty

Related Words

• workbook