Definition of "reference book" [reference book]

• A book, such as a dictionary or encyclopedia, to which one can refer for authoritative information. (noun)
• See passbook. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The indispensable reference book for classics and ancient history is The Oxford Classical Dictionary, 3rd ed."
• "He is alsoquick and accurate at locating answers in a text or reference book or onthe Internet."
• "The reference book compilers who assert that Clapham Junction has more sets of parallel tracks than any place in Britain wouldn't go around making silly statements like that if they'd tried this lot on a pitch black October night with the sleety rain falling about their ears."