■ noun ( plural libraries )
1》 a building or room containing a collection of books and periodicals for use by the public or the members of an institution.
↘a collection of books held in a ~.
↘an organized collection of films, recorded music, etc., kept for research or borrowing: a record ~.
2》 a series of books or recordings issued by a company as a set.
↘(also software ~ ) Computing a collection of programs and software packages made generally available.
Origin
ME: via OFr. from L. libraria 'bookshop', from liber , libr- 'book'.