encyclopedic
adjective
en·cy·clo·pe·dic
in-ˌsī-klə-ˈpē-dik 
: of, relating to, or suggestive of an encyclopedia or its methods of treating or covering a subject : comprehensive
an encyclopedic mind
an encyclopedic collection of armor
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In Greek, paidaea meant not simply "child-rearing" but also "education", and kyklios meant "general;" thus, an encyclopedia is a work broad enough to provide a kind of general education. The world's most eminent general encyclopedia, the Encyclopaedia Britannica, is a huge work that covers every field of human knowledge. But encyclopedic doesn't have to refer to books; it's often used to describe the wide-ranging knowledge that certain types of minds just can't stop acquiring.
Examples of encyclopedic in a Sentence
She published an encyclopedic study of ancient Egypt.
The event was described in encyclopedic detail.
his almost encyclopedic knowledge of movies
Recent Examples on the Web
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world’s great encyclopedic art museums.
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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Tyler also made a strong impression early on, showing off his encyclopedic knowledge of country songs.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
These cases tend to hinge on how encyclopedic a doctor’s knowledge of the medical literature is; AI can recognize obscure patterns across millions of cases and publications, and surface possibilities that may lie outside any single physician’s experience.
—Alexandra Sifferlin, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
The three-batter minimum simplified the bullpen chess that once demanded encyclopedic knowledge of platoon splits.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Tyler also made a strong impression early on, showing off his encyclopedic knowledge of country songs.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
These cases tend to hinge on how encyclopedic a doctor’s knowledge of the medical literature is; AI can recognize obscure patterns across millions of cases and publications, and surface possibilities that may lie outside any single physician’s experience.
—Alexandra Sifferlin, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
The three-batter minimum simplified the bullpen chess that once demanded encyclopedic knowledge of platoon splits.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encyclopedic
Cite this Entry
“Encyclopedic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encyclopedic. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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