Renew a Book: Meaning, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：Extend borrowing period (Renew a book)

Renew a book 🔊

/rɪˈnjuː ə bʊk/

phr. (动词短语)

To extend the time you can keep a library book before you have to return it.

Student renewing a library book on computer screen with calendar

Extend borrowing period 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈstend ˈbɔːroʊɪŋ ˈpɪriəd/

phr. (动词短语)

To extend the due date for a library book, typically through an online system or in person, allowing the borrower to keep the book longer without penalty.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Re- (again) + new (make new) → extend the period of borrowing.

💡 Mnemonic

Picture hitting 'renew' like pressing a 'new time' button for your book.

📖 Example

I haven't finished this novel yet, so I need to renew the book online before Friday. 🔊 I haven't finished this novel yet, so I need to renew the book online before Friday.

🔗 Collocations

renew a book online – to extend the loan via the internet

renew a library book – to extend the borrowing for a library book

renew by phone – to extend the loan through a telephone call

🔄 Synonyms

extend the loan (phr.) – to increase the time allowed for borrowing

prolong the checkout (phr.) – to lengthen the period an item is checked out

reborrow (v.) – to borrow again after the initial period ends (less formal)

🚫 Antonyms

return a book (phr.) – to give back the book by the due date

hand back (phr.) – to surrender the item to the library

🌱 Derivatives

renewal (n.) – the act of extending a loan period

renewable (adj.) – eligible to be extended

renewer (n.) – a person who renews an item

📖 Cultural Story

The practice of renewing library books dates to the 1800s with circulation desks. The term 'renew' from Latin 'renovare' fits extending loan periods.