encyclopedia

American  

[en-sahy-kluh-pee-dee-uh] / ɛnˌsaɪ kləˈpi di ə /

Sometimes encyclopaedia

noun

• encyclopedias
  plural

1. a book, set of books, optical disc, mobile device, or online informational resource containing articles on various topics, usually in alphabetical arrangement, covering all branches of knowledge or, less commonly, all aspects of one subject.

2. Encyclopedia, the French work edited by Diderot and D'Alembert, published in the 18th century, distinguished by its representation of the views of the Enlightenment.

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encyclopedia British  

/ ɛnˌsaɪkləʊˈpiːdɪə /

noun

1. a book, often in many volumes, containing articles on various topics, often arranged in alphabetical order, dealing either with the whole range of human knowledge or with one particular subject

   a medical encyclopedia

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• encyclopedias
  plural

Etymology

Origin of encyclopedia

First recorded in 1525–35; from New Latin encyclopaedia, from Greek enkyklopaidía, a misreading of enkýklios paideía “circular (i.e., well-rounded) education”; see encyclical, pedo- ¹

Explanation

An encyclopedia is a reference work designed to cover all branches and topics of knowledge. We might describe someone who seems to know everything as a "walking encyclopedia." Encyclopedia comes the Greek words for "comprehensive" (cyclo) and "education" (pedia). The first encyclopedias were books (usually in many volumes), but now we have online and electronic encyclopedias. This reference is usually organized alphabetically and covers as many topics as possible. If you're doing research, the encyclopedia is a good place to start.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

encyclopedia encyclopedias

On one hand, it’s nice to see young Brian scamper up to his bedroom to crack open an encyclopedia or hear a herd of theropods stampede on the roof of an all-metal car.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

Did everyone routinely use the encyclopedia, or read the Steinbeck novel, or listen attentively to Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony?

From Salon ● Apr. 19, 2026

In his words: "They showed us a whole encyclopedia of movement and positioning in football."

From BBC ● Apr. 15, 2026

Other economists describe him as a walking encyclopedia and the Pelé of central banking, referring to the Brazilian soccer legend.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026

Volume B. Mama Ya-Ya paid $3 a week for three years until she’d paid for the entire encyclopedia set.

From "Ninth Ward" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Physical encyclopedias and textbooks were rendered virtually useless.

From Salon ● May 30, 2026

Samantha said Max has watched all of Sir David's documentaries and owns more animal encyclopedias than she can keep track of.

From BBC ● May 7, 2026

The chatbots also appeared conflicted about what role to play, shifting between acting like medical encyclopedias, life coaches and supportive friends.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025

It’s home to legal encyclopedias, appellate briefs, legislative history information, law reviews and legal magazines and newspapers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2024

Ceramic plates and platters are displayed on open shelves, along with what seem to be hundreds of cookbooks, food encyclopedias, and volumes of essays about eating.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri