passbook

[ pas-book, pahs- ]

noun

1. a bankbook.
2. (formerly) a small book or ledger for each customer in which a merchant keeps a record of goods sold on credit and the amounts owed and paid.
3. South African. reference book ( def 2 ).

passbook

/ ˈpɑːsˌbʊk /

noun

1. a book for keeping a record of withdrawals from and payments into a building society
2. another name for bankbook
3. a customer's book in which is recorded by a trader a list of credit sales to that customer
4. (formerly in South Africa) an official document serving to identify the bearer, his race, his residence, and his employment

Word History and Origins

Origin of passbook¹

First recorded in 1820–30; pass + book

Example Sentences

I went into the house to get our bank passbook, for there was need to find out where we stood financially.

From Project Gutenberg

He liked a pleasant object for a walk, so at least once a week he made a point of fetching his passbook from the bank.

From Project Gutenberg

Grenier obtained his passbook and check book, after writing a check on London before the other man's eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

The endowment policy, the bank passbook, the certificate of the possession of scrip.

From Project Gutenberg

He was working out in his mind how handsomely this first payment would show up on the welcome side of his passbook.

From Project Gutenberg