library science

noun

: the study or the principles and practices of library care and administration

Examples of library science in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her journey led her to study education and pursue a master's in library sciences, focusing on youth services. — First Tee, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 In addition to library science degrees, several of our heroes have Special Forces or martial arts training. — Yvonne Zipp, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2025 The book is also partly an adaption of a thesis paper that Dapier wrote a decade ago as a graduate student of library sciences at University of Illinois. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026 Hayden holds a PhD in library sciences and was nominated to the post in 2016 by then-President Barack Obama. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for library science

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of library science was circa 1904

Rhymes for library science

See All Rhymes for library science

Browse Nearby Words

library school
library science
library steps
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Library science.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/library%20science. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on library science

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about library science

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All