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A large reversible magnetocaloric effect has been observed in Tb(3)Co compound. Under a magnetic field change of 5 T, the maximum value of magnetic entropy change Delta S(M) is -18 J kg(-1) K(-1) at 84 K and the relative cooling power is 738 J kg(-1) with no hysteresis loss. In particular, the large reversible Delta S(M)(max), -8.5 J kg(-1) K(-1), is achieved for a low magnetic field change of 2 T. The magnetic anisotropy and the texture of the material greatly affect Delta S(M). The large reversible magnetocaloric effect (both the large Delta S(M) and the high relative cooling power) indicates that Tb(3)Co could be a promising candidate for magnetic refrigeration. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.