Library: meaning, definitions and examples

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library

 

[ ˈlaɪˌbrɛri ]

Context #1 | Noun

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?

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Word Description / Examples
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.

  • She went to the library to study for her exams
  • The local library offers free internet access to its visitors
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.

  • I stopped by the bookstore to pick up the latest novel by my favorite author
  • The bookstore at the mall has a great selection of children's books
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Archive is used to describe a place where historical documents and records are stored.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.

  • The university's archive contains letters from famous scientists
  • They found important files in the city archive dating back to the 18th century
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.

  • The university has a repository of academic papers available online
  • The museum's repository includes artifacts from ancient civilizations

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.
Context #2 | Noun

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?

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Word Description / Examples
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.

  • We need to import a graphics library to handle the image processing.
  • Using this library will save us a lot of time and effort.
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.

  • He grabbed his toolbox to fix the leaking pipe.
  • This software comes with a toolbox of features for website design.
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.

  • The training center has an extensive resource library for new employees.
  • Teachers can access a variety of learning aids in the school's resource library.
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.

  • The developers are working on a new feature for the codebase.
  • Maintaining a clean and organized codebase is crucial for long-term project success.

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.

See also: librarian, libraries.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,518, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.