Codebook designs are disclosed for full-dimensional multiple-input-multiple output (FD-MIMO) wireless cellular systems. The FD-MIMO cookbooks employ channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS). The codebook designs are used in beamforming CSI-RSs by the enhanced nodeB (eNB), where the CSI-RS is sent to the user equipment (UE), enabling the UE to perform channel estimation. The codebooks support beam selection, co-phasing between polarizations, and beam combining.