folio

1 of 2

noun

fo·​lio ˈfō-lē-ˌō 

plural folios

1

a

: a leaf especially of a manuscript or book

b

: a leaf number

c

: a page number

d

: an identifying reference in accounting used in posting

2

a

: a sheet of paper folded once

b

: a case or folder for loose papers

3

a

: the size of a piece of paper cut two from a sheet

also : paper or a page of this size

b

: a book printed on folio pages

c

: a book of the largest size

4

: a certain number of words taken as a unit or division in a document for purposes of measurement or reference

folio

2 of 2

verb

folioed; folioing; folios

transitive verb

: to put a serial number on each leaf or page of

Examples of folio in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Bibliothèque Nationale de France possesses an enormous volume, of more than five hundred folios, containing almost all of Machaut’s output. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024

Finally, older kids and teens can play games using Shakespeare’s actual words, see up close the process used in the 17th century to print a folio, and practice printing their own words and phrases using light. —Lucas Trevor, Washington Post, 18 June 2024

Scott-Warren was the one who had verified Milton's handwriting in the Shakespeare folio in 2019. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 15 May 2024

Hotel folios show the men’s basketball team regularly purchased custom banquet-style buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner. —Kenny Jacoby, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin, ablative of folium

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1858, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

folio

noun

fo·​lio

ˈfō-lē-ˌō

plural folios

1

: a leaf of a manuscript or book

2

a

: a book made up of sheets of paper that have been folded to produce two leaves

b

: a very large book

Legal Definition

folio

noun

fo·​lio ˈfō-lē-ˌō 

: a certain number of words taken as a unit or division in a document for purposes of measurement or reference

Note: A folio by statutory provision generally consists of 100 words.