hardcover
n. C / Un. a book with a stiff, strong cover made of thick cardboard. These books are usually more expensive and last longer than paperbacks.
n. a book bound with rigid protective covers, typically made of thick binder's board covered with cloth, heavy paper, or leather.
I prefer to buy the hardcover version of my favorite novels.
The library keeps the hardcover editions on the main shelves because they withstand frequent handling better than softcover books.
Collectors often prioritize the first-edition hardcover over later reprints, as the physical durability and aesthetic quality of the binding represent a more significant investment in the work.
Can be used as a countable noun for the book itself or as an uncountable noun when referring to the format in general.