as in dictionary
a reference work that contains information about many different subjects or a lot of information about a particular subject
The school library's encyclopedia occupied much of the bookshelf. an encyclopedia of literature
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Recent Examples of encyclopedia
Britannica has been losing market share since 1993, when Microsoft released its digital encyclopedia, Encarta.
—
Louis Menand, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Beginning in 1959, editors put in arduous work toward compiling the first encyclopedias written in Braille, the innovative code developed by Louis Braille in 19th century France.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Dec. 2025
The online encyclopedia took hold despite initially being a punch line for late night talk show host like Stephen Colbert.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025
Little is an encyclopedia of information on other kickers, admiring the approaches of guys like Prater and Carlson and marveling at Aubrey’s astonishing feats.
—Dan Robson, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encyclopedia
Louis Menand, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
Beginning in 1959, editors put in arduous work toward compiling the first encyclopedias written in Braille, the innovative code developed by Louis Braille in 19th century France.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Dec. 2025
The online encyclopedia took hold despite initially being a punch line for late night talk show host like Stephen Colbert.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025
Little is an encyclopedia of information on other kickers, admiring the approaches of guys like Prater and Carlson and marveling at Aubrey’s astonishing feats.
—Dan Robson, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encyclopedia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encyclopedia
Noun
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Nick, first buy a dictionary and then take a few courses in logic and the evils of bigotry.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
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The supporting cast, including Teyana Taylor, Steven Yeun, Kyle Chandler, and Catalina Sandino Moreno, all get their own assault rifle and dictionary of cop lingo.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There were no sitters within that catalogue of misses — nothing toe-curling or likely to do a million views on YouTube — but his profligacy allowed Dortmund to escape with a 2-1 win.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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The growing catalog of run-ins comes as a half-century of international peacekeeping efforts along the border face an uncertain future.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Grosz’s new book, Love’s Labor, recounts this and many other sessions from the past few decades of his work as a psychoanalyst.—
Daisy Jones,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
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To get the most out of a trip inside, book a special visit to the substructure (basically the backstage area where people and animals waited to be brought onstage), the third tier, and the belvedere via the Colosseum's website.—
Katie Parla,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Buying and selling textbooks became his obsession.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
That’s textbook misrepresentation.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encyclopedia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encyclopedia. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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