merriam-webster.com

Definition of ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • ️Mon Feb 24 2025

: a work that contains information on all branches of knowledge or treats comprehensively a particular branch of knowledge usually in articles arranged alphabetically often by subject

Examples of encyclopedia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Her classroom doubled as a mini library with encyclopedias students could take home. —Alex Golden, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025 Musk and other right-wing tech figures have been on a campaign to delegitimize the digital encyclopedia. —Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025 Almost every historical fact or cultural work is captioned with its corresponding page number in the encyclopedia. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025 Although that would probably technically be an encyclopedia. —Kayla Grant, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for encyclopedia

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin encyclopaedia course of general education, from Greek enkyklios + paideia education, child rearing, from paid-, pais child — more at few

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of encyclopedia was in 1644

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Encyclopedia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encyclopedia. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on encyclopedia

Last Updated: 24 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Merriam-Webster unabridged