library
Definitions
A building or room where books are kept for reading and borrowing
图书馆；藏书室
A collection of books, recordings, or other materials owned by a person or institution
（个人或机构的）藏书；收藏
In computing, a collection of prewritten code that programs can reuse
（计算机）程序库，函数库
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedlibr (book) + -ary (a place connected with) = 'a place for books.' Latin librī (books) + -ārium gave librāria, a bookshop or book-room, and English settled on the place where books are kept. Modern senses keep the core idea of an organized, stored collection you draw from: a music library, a digital library, a software library of reusable code.
Root libr still carries 4 more wordsUsage Guide
- Place (most common): the public library, a university library — a building you visit.
- Personal collection: 'a fine library' can mean someone's books, not a building.
- Computing: a code library, a component library — note this is a stored collection, not a place.
- Watch the pronunciation: standard is LAI-bruh-ree (three syllables); 'LIE-bree' dropping the middle r is considered nonstandard.
Example Sentences
- 1.
I borrowed three novels from the public library this morning.
- 2.
She has built up an impressive personal library over the years.
- 3.
The app uses an open-source library to handle the charts.