book·ing (bŏŏḱĭng)

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noun 

1. An engagement, as for a performance by an entertainer.
2. A reservation, as for accommodations at a hotel.

book (bŏŏk)

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[Middle English bok, from Old English bōc.]

noun 

1. A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers.
2. 1. A printed or written literary work.
   2. A main division of a larger printed or written work: a book of the Old Testament.
3. 1. A volume in which financial or business transactions are recorded.
   2. books. Financial or business records considered as a group: checked the expenditures on the books.
4. 1. A libretto.
   2. The script of a play.
5. 1. The Bible.
   2. The Koran.
6. 1. A set of prescribed standards or rules on which decisions are based: runs the company by the book.
   2. Something regarded as a source of knowledge or understanding.
   3. The total amount of experience, knowledge, understanding, and skill that can be used in solving a problem or performing a task: We used every trick in the book to finish the project on schedule.
   4. Informal Factual information, especially of a private nature: What's the book on him?
7. A packet of like or similar items bound together: a book of matches.
8. A record of bets placed on a race.
9. Games The number of card tricks needed before any tricks can have scoring value, as the first six tricks taken by the declaring side in bridge.

verb: booked, book·ing, books. 

transitive verb 

1. To list or register in or as if in a book.
2. 1. To record charges against (a person) on a police blotter.
   2. Sports To record the flagrant fouls of (a player) for possible disciplinary action, as in soccer.
3. To arrange for (tickets or lodgings, for example) in advance; reserve.
4. To hire or engage: The manager booked a magic show for Saturday night.
5. To allocate time for.

intransitive verb 

To make a reservation: Book early if you want good seats.

adjective 

1. Of or relating to knowledge learned from books rather than actual experience: has book smarts but not street smarts.
2. Appearing in a company's financial records: book profits.

idioms

bring to book

To demand an explanation from; call to account.

in (one's) book

In one's opinion: In my book they both are wrong.

like a book

Thoroughly; completely: I know my child like a book.

one for the books

A noteworthy act or occurrence.

throw the book at

To make all possible charges against (a lawbreaker, for example). To reprimand or punish severely.

derivatives

booḱer

noun

synonyms:

book, bespeak, engage, reserve These verbs mean to cause something to be set aside in advance, as for one's use or possession: will book a hotel room; made sure their selections were bespoken; engaged a box for the opera season; reserving a table at a restaurant.