book·end
ˈbu̇k-ˌend 
1
: a support placed at the end of a row of books
marble bookends
2
: one of two usually similar things that begin and end something
The second season started with stateside filming that included creating the "bookends," short segments that flank each episode …—
Paula Parisi
Paula ParisiThe trip has Eastern bookends. It began Monday in Ottawa and ends next Sunday in Atlanta.—The New York Times
The New York Times3
: one of two similar players on a team who play on opposite sides of the field or court
… Taylor is playing without bookend outside linebacker Carl Banks, who is sidelined with a wrist injury.—Peter Kind
Peter Kind
bookended; bookending
1
: to be on both sides or ends of (something or someone) : flank
… dimples bookending his smile.—Jennifer Kornreich
—often used in passive constructionsJennifer Kornreich… a squat sports arena of concrete and black glass bookended by a pair of massive concrete cylinders …—Wells Tower
Wells Tower2
a
: to begin and end (something) with two similar things or with the same thing
… Klim and Thorpe had bookended the relay with two of the fastest 100-meter split times ever …—Alexander Wolff
Alexander WolffHe bookends his meaty battle narrative with a thorough analysis of Roosevelt's internment policy …—Jonathan Mahler
Jonathan Mahler
b
: to serve as or mark the beginning and ending of (something) : to be the first and last parts or events of (something)
… a movie that, together with All the President's Men, bookends the era of heroic investigative journalism.—Rand Richards Cooper
—often used in passive constructions
Rand Richards Cooper… the period bookended by the Civil War and the civil rights movement.—Christopher Benfey
Christopher BenfeyThe anthology is bookended by an introductory essay by the editors … and an epilogue …—C. L. Salter
C. L. SalterExamples of bookend in a Sentence
Noun
a pair of bookends shaped like horses
He used an empty flowerpot as a bookend.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
If this is it for Durant in Phoenix, his left ankle makes for depressing bookends.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Murat Ates, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
The two best narratives, of the innocent youth Maria and life-embracing beauty queen Myrna, bookend the musical.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bookend
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Noun
The under-the-wire victory came as Congress gears up for a two-week spring recess for Passover and Easter and put a bookend on the first phase of the budget reconciliation process — requiring both chambers to adopt a resolution that acts as instructions for the rest of the process.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
If this is it for Durant in Phoenix, his left ankle makes for depressing bookends.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Jets’ Presidents’ Trophy win, even in a 4-1 loss to Edmonton, neatly bookends a season that began with a 6-0 win against the Oilers on Oct. 9.
—Murat Ates, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
The two best narratives, of the innocent youth Maria and life-embracing beauty queen Myrna, bookend the musical.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bookend
Cite this Entry
“Bookend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bookend. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bookend
noun
book·end
-ˌend
: something placed at the end of a row of books to hold them up
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