playbook

noun

play·​book ˈplā-ˌbu̇k 

1

: one or more plays in book form

2

: a notebook containing diagrammed football plays

3

: a stock of usual tactics or methods

straight from his opponent's political playbook

Examples of playbook in a Sentence

He studied the new plays in the team's playbook.

Recent Examples on the Web

Given the gulf between the two sides, China will not stray too far from its playbook during the forthcoming meeting, Chinese sources indicated. —Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 4 May 2026

Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels in March provided teachers and principals with initial guidance on AI in the classroom, with a full playbook due next month. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026

There is a chance the Wolves take a page from Portland’s playbook and match Gobert with Spurs guard Stephon Castle, who (theoretically) is less of a threat from the perimeter. —Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 3 May 2026

But before the regular season gets underway, Thomas is focused on digesting the Chiefs’ playbook and adjusting to life one week after being drafted. —Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1511, in the meaning defined at sense 1