A store where books are bought and sold.
"I stopped by the bookstore to pick up a new mystery novel for my weekend read."
In plain English: A bookstore is a shop where you can buy and sell books.
"We spent an afternoon browsing for new novels in the local bookstore."
Usage: A bookstore is a retail establishment specifically dedicated to selling books, distinguishing it from general department stores that may carry them among other merchandise. You can visit a bookstore to browse new releases, find rare editions, or purchase reading materials directly from the shelves.
The word bookstore is a straightforward combination of the words book and store. It was formed to describe a shop that sells books.