Library: meaning, definitions and examples
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library
[ ˈlaɪˌbrɛri ]
education
A place in which literary and artistic materials, such as books, periodicals, newspapers, pamphlets, prints, records, and tapes, are kept for reading, reference, or lending.
Synonyms
archive, bookstore, repository.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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library |
Library is a place where people can borrow books, use computers, and often access various forms of media. It's usually a public space designed for quiet study and reading.
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bookstore |
Bookstore is a retail place where books are sold. People go here to buy new releases, bestsellers, or other various types of books for their personal collection.
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archive |
Archive is used to describe a place where historical documents and records are stored. It's often used by researchers and historians looking for primary sources or rare materials.
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repository |
Repository refers to a place where a large amount of data or resources is stored. It can be a physical location like a library archive or digital storage like a server holding databases.
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Examples of usage
- I spent hours in the library researching for my thesis.
- The library has a wide selection of books on history.
- She borrowed a novel from the library to read over the weekend.
- The library is a great resource for students.
- The library is a quiet place to study.
computing
A collection of prewritten code, routines, procedures, scripts, or functions that is used to simplify programming tasks.
Synonyms
codebase, resource library, toolbox.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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library |
This 'library' refers to a collection of pre-written code that can be used and reused by other programs or codebases, often used in software development.
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toolbox |
Use 'toolbox' to refer to a container or set of tools, either physical or digital, used for a specific purpose, often implying a more hands-on or practical application.
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resource library |
Use 'resource library' when referring to a collection of materials or tools that can be used for specific tasks, often in educational or professional settings.
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codebase |
Use 'codebase' when referring to a collection of source code used to build a particular software program or website. It is often used in the context of software development.
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Examples of usage
- She included a library of functions in her program to save time.
- The software developer used a graphics library to create the user interface.
- The library of code snippets made coding the website much faster.
- The library contained a variety of algorithms for data processing.
- He downloaded a library of plugins to enhance the functionality of the application.
Translations
Translations of the word "library" in other languages:
🇵🇹 biblioteca
🇮🇳 पुस्तकालय
🇩🇪 Bibliothek
🇮🇩 perpustakaan
🇺🇦 бібліотека
🇵🇱 biblioteka
🇯🇵 図書館 (としょかん)
🇫🇷 bibliothèque
🇪🇸 biblioteca
🇹🇷 kütüphane
🇰🇷 도서관
🇸🇦 مكتبة
🇨🇿 knihovna
🇸🇰 knižnica
🇨🇳 图书馆 (túshūguǎn)
🇸🇮 knjižnica
🇮🇸 bókasafn
🇰🇿 кітапхана
🇬🇪 ბიბლიოთეკა
🇦🇿 kitabxana
🇲🇽 biblioteca
Etymology
The word 'library' originated from the Latin word 'librarium', meaning 'a place for books'. Libraries have been integral to human civilization for centuries, serving as centers of knowledge, learning, and culture. The concept of libraries has evolved over time, from ancient collections of clay tablets to modern digital repositories. Today, libraries continue to play a vital role in providing access to information and promoting literacy.