Skip to main content

library — a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for use or borrowing by the public or the members of an institution

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for use or borrowing by the public or the members of an institution

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈlaɪbreri/

Example Sentences

  • The library was so quiet you could hear a page turning three tables away.
  • She treats her bedroom like a personal library with books stacked everywhere.
  • The librarian shushed him so many times, he started whispering to himself.

library

NOUN

[/ˈlaɪbreri/]

a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for use or borrowing by the public or the members of an institution

Image coming soon

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈlaɪbreri/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈlaɪbrəri/

🌳Etymology

Rootlibr
Suffix--ary

Origin

The word derives from Latin liber, originally meaning 'free person' or 'freedman,' which later came to mean 'book.' In ancient Rome, libraries were collections of texts, and the term reflects the historical reality that literacy and book ownership were privileges primarily accessible to free citizens rather than slaves.

Breakdown

liber (book, free) + -ary (place or collection related to). The suffix -ary denotes a place or repository associated with the root noun.

🎵Rhyme

primary
secondary
necessary

🔗Collocations

public library
library card
school library
digital library
library book
visit the library

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The library was so quiet you could hear a page turning three tables away.”

“She treats her bedroom like a personal library with books stacked everywhere.”

😄 Fun example

“The librarian shushed him so many times, he started whispering to himself.”

“Students often use the library as a free air-conditioned study space during summer.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.