# yearbook

/ˈjɪɹˌbʊk/ (US) · /jˈiəbʊk/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. school commemorative book

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

a book published by a school at the end of the year with photos of students and records of school events.

For teachers: a publication compiled by the graduating class of a school or college, serving as a photographic and narrative record of the academic year.

- I spent the whole afternoon looking at my old high school yearbook and laughing at our hairstyles.
- The editorial committee worked tirelessly to ensure that every student organization was represented in the final pages of the senior yearbook.

Usage: Commonly used as a countable noun in North American educational contexts.

### 2. annual reference book

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a book published every year that contains facts and information about a particular subject or organization.

For teachers: a reference work published annually that contains current information, statistics, and facts regarding a specific field or entity.

- The statistical yearbook provides all the data on the country's economy for the past twelve months.
- Scholars often consult the international law yearbook to track the evolution of treaty interpretations and state practice over the preceding year.

### 3. school subject

noun · CEFR B2 · American English · Informal

a class where students learn how to write, design, and produce the school's annual book.

For teachers: an elective course or extracurricular program in which students develop journalistic, design, and project management skills by producing a yearbook.

- She decided to take yearbook this semester because she wanted to practice her photography skills.
- The school's yearbook program functions as a miniature publishing house, requiring students to meet strict deadlines and manage a production budget.

Usage: Often used uncountably when referring to the course or activity itself.

Teaching tip: This usage is specific to the North American high school experience where 'Yearbook' is treated as a specific elective subject.

## Examples

- I looked at my old yearbook to find a photo of my best friend.
- The graduating class spent weeks choosing the best photos and quotes for the senior section of the yearbook.
- While digital archives are becoming more common, many alumni still cherish the physical yearbook as a tangible memento of their formative teenage years and social connections.

---

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.