handbook

noun

hand·​book ˈhan(d)-ˌbu̇k How to pronounce handbook (audio)
1
a
: a book capable of being conveniently carried as a ready reference : manual
b
: a concise reference book covering a particular subject
2
a
: a bookmaker's book of bets
b
: a place where bookmaking is carried on

Examples of handbook in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The yearly letter also continued the theme of previous years as a type of owner’s handbook for Berkshire shareholders. Bill Stone, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 This is straight out of the aspiring dictator’s handbook for winning elections. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2024 Leaving out quotations when citing a source violates MIT's academic integrity handbook and is considered plagiarism. Misty Severi, Washington Examiner, 5 Jan. 2024 Lang also was tapped by Harry Snyder to create In-N-Out’s first official handbook. Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023 Taking a page out of the Vanderpump Rules producer handbook, cameras on The Valley began rolling again after Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright shared publicly that the married couple was taking time apart. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 Though there's no official handbook, it's believed that the late Queen Elizabeth II dictated that the family keep things natural and neutral, even their manicures. Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2024 Truckers should avoid emotional conversations when behind the wheel, the handbook told us. Emily Gogolak, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 Guthrie also took to Instagram to share screenshots of the fake handbooks for sale, and pointed out that her name was even misspelled on one of them. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'handbook.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of handbook was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near handbook

Cite this Entry

“Handbook.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handbook. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

handbook

noun
hand·​book -ˌbu̇k How to pronounce handbook (audio)
: a small book of facts or useful information usually about a particular subject : manual

More from Merriam-Webster on handbook

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