logbook: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to neutral; common in technical, professional, and regulatory contexts.
Quick answer
What does “logbook” mean?
An official, chronological record of specific events, operations, or journeys, originally nautical.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An official, chronological record of specific events, operations, or journeys, originally nautical.
Any systematic, dated record kept for official, legal, or practical purposes (e.g., vehicle maintenance, flight hours, work activities).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK English uses 'logbook' more frequently for the official vehicle registration document (V5C). In US English, the vehicle title and registration are separate documents; 'logbook' is strongly associated with shipping, aviation, and professional record-keeping.
Connotations
UK: Strongly linked to car ownership and MOT history. US: Connotes professional/industrial tracking (e.g., pilot's logbook, engineer's logbook).
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK daily life due to vehicle context. In US, more specialised outside maritime/aviation circles.
Grammar
How to Use “logbook” in a Sentence
keep a logbook of [noun]enter [details] in the logbookthe logbook shows [that-clause]refer to the logbook for [information]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “logbook” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The engineer must logbook all defects before the vessel sails.
- I need to logbook the new tyre change.
American English
- The pilot needs to logbook the flight hours meticulously.
- Technicians are required to logbook every maintenance action.
adjective
British English
- The logbook entry was incomplete.
- We have a logbook service history for this van.
American English
- The logbook data was crucial for the investigation.
- Follow the logbook procedures exactly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A project logbook tracks milestones, decisions, and issues for audit trails.
Academic
A lab logbook is essential for recording experimental procedures and raw data, ensuring research reproducibility.
Everyday
I need to check my car's logbook before I can sell it.
Technical
The aircraft's technical logbook must be signed off by a licensed engineer after every inspection.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “logbook”
- Using 'logbook' for a personal diary of feelings.
- Spelling as 'log book' (two words; while sometimes accepted, 'logbook' is the standard single-word form).
- Confusing with 'blog'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A diary is personal and subjective, often for reflections. A logbook is objective, factual, and usually required for official or professional purposes.
It refers to the V5C document, the vehicle registration certificate proving ownership, which includes a log of keepers.
Yes, increasingly so. 'Electronic logbook' or 'e-logbook' is common in aviation, shipping, and fleet management, but it must meet the same legal standards as a paper one.
From nautical practice. A 'log' was a wooden board tied to a rope (the log-line) thrown overboard to measure a ship's speed. The readings were recorded in a 'book'.
An official, chronological record of specific events, operations, or journeys, originally nautical.
Logbook is usually formal to neutral; common in technical, professional, and regulatory contexts. in register.
Logbook: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒɡbʊk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɔːɡbʊk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “by the book (related concept)”
- “on the record”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LOG (as in a record) + BOOK (as in a bound volume). Think: A book for logs.
Conceptual Metaphor
A logbook is a MAP OF PROGRESS or a LEGAL WITNESS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'logbook' LEAST likely to be used?