LIBRARY Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

library

[ lahy-brer-ee, -bruh-ree, -bree ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural libraries.

a place set apart to contain books, periodicals, and other material for reading, viewing, listening, study, or reference, as a room, set of rooms, or building where books may be read or borrowed.
a public body organizing and maintaining such an establishment.
a collection of manuscripts, publications, and other materials for reading, viewing, listening, study, or reference.
a collection of any materials for study and enjoyment, as films, musical recordings, or maps.
a commercial establishment lending books for a fixed charge; a lending library.
a series of books of similar character or alike in size, binding, etc., issued by a single publishing house.
Biology. a collection of standard materials or formulations by which specimens are identified.
canon ¹( def 9 ).
Computers. a collection of software or data usually reflecting a specific theme or application.

library

/ ˈ��ɪ��ə��ɪ /

noun

a room or set of rooms where books and other literary materials are kept
a collection of literary materials, films, CDs, children's toys, etc, kept for borrowing or reference
the building or institution that houses such a collection
a public library
a set of books published as a series, often in a similar format
computing a collection of standard programs and subroutines for immediate use, usually stored on disk or some other storage device
a collection of specific items for reference or checking against
a library of genetic material

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Pronunciation Note

Library, with one r -sound following close upon another, is particularly vulnerable to the process of dissimilation—the tendency for neighboring like sounds to become unlike, or for one of them to disappear altogether. The pronunciation [lahy, -brer-ee], therefore, while still the most common, is frequently reduced by educated speakers, both in the U.S. and in England, to the dissimilated [lahy, -b, uh, -ree] or [lahy, -bree]. A third dissimilated form [lahy, -ber-ee] is more likely to be heard from less educated or very young speakers, and is often criticized. See colonel, February, governor.

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

��t��·��b��·�� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of library¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English libraire, from Middle French librairie, from Medieval Latin ��, noun use of feminine of Latin ��ܲ� (adjective) “of books,” from libr-, stem of liber “book” + -��ܲ� -ary

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of library¹

C14: from Old French librairie, from Medieval Latin ��, n use of Latin ��ܲ� relating to books, from liber book

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The organization is designed to funnel federal money to educational programs at California museums, libraries and schools, among other places.

From

Libraries across California are bracing for cuts to early literacy, information access and continuing education programs after the Trump administration’s latest effort to slash federal spending took aim at the nation’s libraries and museums.

From

It’s basically a library of different people taking you through guided meditations.

From

Because even the robber barons were not that bad; at least they endowed some libraries and foundations and fellowships and had some idea of wanting to pretend to some sort of cultural capital.

From

“My whole existence can’t be making sure everyone is well and I’m suffering myself,” said Grant, who began a master of library science degree program in January after closing the shop in December.

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