yearbook
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a book published by a school at the end of the year with photos of students and records of school events.
a publication compiled by the graduating class of a school or college, serving as a photographic and narrative record of the academic year.
Simple“I spent the whole afternoon looking at my old high school yearbook and laughing at our hairstyles.”
In context“The editorial committee worked tirelessly to ensure that every student organization was represented in the final pages of the senior yearbook.”
UsageCommonly used as a countable noun in North American educational contexts.
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a book published every year that contains facts and information about a particular subject or organization.
a reference work published annually that contains current information, statistics, and facts regarding a specific field or entity.
Simple“The statistical yearbook provides all the data on the country's economy for the past twelve months.”
In context“Scholars often consult the international law yearbook to track the evolution of treaty interpretations and state practice over the preceding year.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
a class where students learn how to write, design, and produce the school's annual book.
an elective course or extracurricular program in which students develop journalistic, design, and project management skills by producing a yearbook.
Simple“She decided to take yearbook this semester because she wanted to practice her photography skills.”
In context“The school's yearbook program functions as a miniature publishing house, requiring students to meet strict deadlines and manage a production budget.”
UsageOften used uncountably when referring to the course or activity itself.
Teacher's tipThis usage is specific to the North American high school experience where 'Yearbook' is treated as a specific elective subject.
From year + book. Compare Saterland Frisian Jierbouk (“yearbook”), West Frisian jierboek (“yearbook”), Dutch jaarboek (“yearbook”), German Low German Johrbook (“yearbook”), German Jahrbuch (“yearbook”), Swedish årsbok (“yearbook”), Faroese árbók (“annal, record, yearbook”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.