A bookmark is a thin strip of paper, ribbon, or cardboard that you slip between the pages of a book to mark your place. When you need to stop reading, you slide the bookmark in where you left off so you can find that exact page again later. Without a bookmark, you might have to flip through the whole book looking for where you stopped, or worse, fold down the corner of a page (which book lovers consider a crime against books!).

People have used bookmarks for centuries. Some are plain and simple, just doing the job. Others are beautiful, decorated with artwork, photos, or inspirational quotes. Libraries often give out free bookmarks. Many readers collect special bookmarks or make their own, and a handmade bookmark can be a thoughtful gift for someone who loves reading.

The word has also jumped into the digital world. When you bookmark a website on your computer or phone, you're saving its location so you can return to it easily later, just like marking your place in a book. Digital bookmarks live in your web browser, creating a list of sites you visit often or want to remember.