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Facebook

793 1.0
An online site where people, groups, and businesses connect and share posts
  • proper noun
  • /ˈfeɪsˌbʊk/
  • Texting
translation icon : Facebook
  • Charlie changed his Facebook status to "single" today.
  • use Facebook
  • Facebook post
  • a Facebook page

I'm on Instagram, I'm on Facebook and I'm on Twitter.

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Examples

  • Previous research indicates that the primary reason college students use Facebook is for relationship maintenance.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Fleming County High School Library Media Center uses Facebook to promote events, such as a book fair.

    Academic text (2013)
  • What is your view of Facebook now?

  • But what we have on Facebook is a lot more people.

  • Not all kids are happy about opening up their Facebook lives to their parents.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Is it worth the time to establish a Facebook presence for your school library?

    Academic text (2013)
  • Although there are many reasons for using Facebook in your library, teacher librarians need to be cautious.

    Academic text (2013)
  • When nonusers are asked to join Facebook, they are being asked to expand their digital footprint.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Begin by setting up accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and exploring a bit.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In her free time, she loves browsing through photos and updates from friends on Facebook.

Synonyms

social media
vsFacebook
  • Texting
162 2.3

Websites or apps that let people share messages, photos, and videos online

is a single popular service narrower than that broad category
social networking service
vsFacebook
  • Texting
1 3.2

A website or app that helps people connect and share messages and photos

is the specific popular example of that platform

Compounds

Facebook slut
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who posts too many personal photos or updates on Facebook

Surface Forms

Facebook main

Morphology

Facebook = face + book (semi-transparent) = face + book

The name is transparently built from two common nouns, but it functions as a brand/proper name for a digital service, so the precise service meaning is a specialized extension.

Etymology

Facebook was named because the site began as a place for students to look at each other's photos and profiles, like a college face ('a person's photo') book ('a small book of names and pictures'). That's why Facebook the service is used for connecting, sharing, and communicating with others online.