library
LEYE-bree
Library (noun) means a building or institution that holds books and other media for people to borrow or use. Example: “You can borrow up to six novels from the library at once.”
noun
1
A building or institution that holds books and other media for people to borrow or use.
"You can borrow up to six novels from the library at once."
"She spent every Saturday at the local library."
"The university library stays open late during exam season."
2
A collection of books, recordings, or other stored information, whether physical or digital.
"The studio keeps a huge library of old film recordings."
"Her online music library holds thousands of songs from many countries."
"His personal library filled three rooms of the house."
3
A collection of reusable software code that programs can call on for common functions.
"Programmers often import a library instead of writing common functions again."
"This library saves developers time by handling date and time calculations."
"The app relies on a graphics library to render its animations."
How to use library
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA place, or collection, of books and information — or, in computing, a bundle of reusable code.
Common mistake
In French, Spanish, and Italian, the equivalent word (librairie, librería, libreria) means "bookshop," not "library" — a classic false friend for language learners.
Common pairings
public library
library card
software library
library book
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Word forms
- Plural
- libraries
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You can borrow up to six novels from the _____ at once.
Etymology
From Old French librairie, from Latin librarium, "bookcase," from liber, "book" (originally the inner bark of a tree, used as an early writing surface). Interestingly, the Romance-language descendants (French librairie, Italian libreria) came to mean "bookshop" instead — only English kept the "collection you borrow from" sense.
Synonyms
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reading room
resource centre
media centre
learning centre
book repository
program library
depository library
subroutine library
Rhymes for library
See all rhymes for library →Frequently asked questions
What does “library” mean?
The word “library” means a building or institution that holds books and other media for people to borrow or use. In plain terms, a place, or collection, of books and information — or, in computing, a bundle of reusable code.
How do you pronounce “library”?
“Library” is pronounced LEYE-bree (/ˈlaɪˌbɹɛɹ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “library” in a sentence?
Here is “library” used in a sentence: “She spent every Saturday at the local library.”
What part of speech is “library”?
“Library” is a noun.
Where does the word “library” come from?
The word “library” comes from Latin.
Is “library” a common word?
“Library” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “library” have?
“Library” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a building or institution that holds books and other media for people to borrow or use.
What is the difference between a library and a bookshop?
A library lends books and other media for free, to be returned later, and is usually a public or institutional service. A bookshop sells books for you to keep, run as a business. In a library you borrow; in a bookshop you buy. Libraries also offer study space, computers, and events beyond just books.
What are the types of libraries?
The main kinds are public libraries open to everyone, academic libraries at universities and colleges, and school libraries for pupils. There are also national libraries that archive a country's publications, and special libraries focused on one subject, such as law or medicine. Increasingly, digital libraries offer e-books and resources entirely online.
What can you do at a library besides borrow books?
Modern libraries offer far more than lending. Many provide free internet and computers, quiet study and meeting spaces, printing, and access to newspapers, films, and music. They run events such as children's story times, reading groups, and workshops, and often help with research, job hunting, and using technology — all usually free of charge.
What is the difference between a library and an archive?
A library collects published material — books, magazines, media — mostly to be borrowed and read by the general public. An archive keeps unique, original records, such as historical documents, letters, and manuscripts, preserved for reference rather than lending. Libraries emphasise access and circulation; archives emphasise preservation of one-of-a-kind items.
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