Definition of "textbook" in English

noun

1. (education) A coursebook, a formal manual of instruction in a specific subject, especially one for use in schools or colleges.

adjective

1. (literally) Of or pertaining to textbooks or their style, especially in being dry and pedagogical; textbooky, textbooklike.

2. (figuratively) Having the typical characteristics of some class of phenomenon, so that it might be included as an example in a textbook.

3. (figuratively) Done exactly correctly, in an exemplary way that might be described in a textbook.

   • Well done everyone, the tree fell exactly where we planned. That was textbook.

4. (figuratively) Learned from, or as if learned from, a textbook, as opposed to personal discovery or experience.

   • He has a textbook understanding of company law but no practical experience of litigation.