# tome

/ˈtoʊm/ (US) · /tˈəʊm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tome
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a large, heavy book

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

a very large, thick, or heavy book, usually one that is serious or academic.

For teachers: a large, heavy, or scholarly book. Often used to imply the work is physically imposing or intellectually dense.

- He pulled a dusty, leather-bound tome from the top shelf of the library.
- The professor spent decades compiling his research into a massive tome that few students had the stamina to read in its entirety.

Usage: Usually used as a countable noun.

Teaching tip: This word is often used with a touch of irony to describe a book that is unnecessarily long or difficult to carry.

### 2. one volume of a series

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

one specific book in a series of several related books.

For teachers: one volume of a larger work consisting of several volumes. This sense reflects the word's etymological roots meaning 'a cutting' or 'section'.

- The first tome of the encyclopedia covers everything from A to C.
- The historian consulted the third tome of the series to verify the dates of the late medieval treaties.

Usage: In modern English, 'volume' is almost always preferred for this meaning.

## Examples

- She pulled a dusty tome from the top shelf.
- The professor spent years researching the history of the region before finally publishing a massive tome on the subject.
- While digital archives offer convenience, there is a certain tactile satisfaction in navigating a leather-bound tome that has survived centuries of handling by scholars and collectors alike.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.