n. (pl. -ies)
1. a a collection of books etc. for use by the public or by members of a group. b a person's collection of books.
2 a room or building containing a collection of books (for reading or reference rather than for sale).
3 a a similar collection of films, records, computer routines, etc. b the place where these are kept.
4 a series of books issued by a publisher in similar bindings etc., usu. as a set.
5 a public institution charged with the care of a collection of books, films, etc.
Phrases and idioms:
library edition a strongly bound edition. library school a college or a department in a university or polytechnic teaching librarianship. library science the study of librarianship.
Etymology: ME f. OF librairie f. L libraria (taberna shop), fem. of librarius bookseller's, of books, f. liber libri book