reference book

noun

1. a book containing useful facts or specially organized information, as an encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, yearbook, etc.
2. Also called pass, passbook. South African. a domestic identity document formerly required to be carried by Black citizens.

reference book

noun

1. a book, such as an encyclopedia, dictionary, etc, from which information may be obtained
2. another name for passbook

Word History and Origins

Origin of reference book¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Excited delirium is not listed in the standard reference book of mental health conditions, nor does it have its own diagnostic code under a system used by health professionals to identify diseases and disorders.

From Scientific American

“I did a lot of reading, but mostly in secret so that I wouldn’t be considered bookish by the regular guys,” Mr. Steel wrote in an autobiographical sketch for the reference book World Authors after adopting the nom de plume Ronald Steel in about 1960.

From New York Times

The reference book receives about 1,000 submissions a week from people looking to establish new records for human achievement and the extremes of the natural world.

From Washington Times

That work grew out of The New York Times Index, which is a reference book of every person, organization, location and event the paper has written about.

From New York Times

That work grew out of The New York Times Index, which is a reference book of every person, organization, location and event the paper has written about.

From New York Times

Related Words

• almanac
• dictionary
• directory
• thesaurus