coffee table book UK /ˈkɒfi ˌteɪbəl ˈbʊk/US /ˈkɔfi ˌteɪbəl ˈbʊk/ noun1 •A large book, usually with lavish illustrations, typically displayed on a coffee table.The Family Book of Black America (Crown, $20), a photographic coffee table book, by Michael H. Cottman and Deborah Willis. — 1996 formscoffee table books · coffee-table books