encyclopedia

noun

en·​cy·​clo·​pe·​dia in-ˌsī-klə-ˈpē-dē-ə 

: 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

The book is part encyclopedia, part lunar biography and even part travelogue. —Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024

To indicate that Rona has something of an intellectual life and a poetic inclination, the soundtrack offers clips of her discoursing, briefly, on matters of science and folklore, which often sound written for a children’s encyclopedia and which Ronan delivers in an educational tone. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2024

While serving as an SparkNotes encyclopedia of an anime’s mythos, arena fighters also allow players to veer off course from a show’s storyline and steer full throttle in fanfiction territory by having heroes and villains duke it out in custom battles. —Isaiah Colbert, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2024

The five pillars establish Wikipedia as a free online encyclopedia, with articles that are accurate and cite reliable sources, and editors – called Wikipedians – who avoid bias and treat one another with respect. —Bridget Retzloff, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2023

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

Kids Definition

encyclopedia

noun

en·​cy·​clo·​pe·​dia

variants also encyclopaedia

in-ˌsī-klə-ˈpēd-ē-ə

: a work that contains information on all subjects or one that covers a certain subject thoroughly usually with articles arranged alphabetically

Etymology

from Latin encyclopedia "course of general education," from Greek enkyklios "general, all-around," literally, "circular" and Greek paideia "education, child rearing"