reference books
nounUK /ˈrɛf.rəns bʊks/
US /ˈrɛf.rəns bʊks/
Books you look at to find facts and answers, like dictionaries and encyclopedias.
The library keeps its reference books in a special section you can't take home.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Books meant to be consulted for specific information rather than read from start to finish.
Teachers often use reference books to prepare their lessons.
3. A library collection of such books that usually cannot be borrowed.
Please return the atlas to the reference books shelf.
4. Books containing organized facts on a particular subject.
She bought several reference books on birds for her science project.