encyclopedias

noun

plural of encyclopedia
as in books
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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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.
Recent Examples of encyclopedias The ban won’t cover online encyclopedias, or educational or scientific directories. — Samuel Petrequin, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 The ban won’t cover online encyclopedias, educational or scientific directories. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 The ban won’t cover online encyclopedias, educational or scientific directories, or platforms for the development and sharing of open-source software. — Samuel Petrequin, Fortune, 20 July 2026 The cheap paperbacks with yellowed pages, outdated cookbooks, and encyclopedias can be tossed. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 June 2026 Holmquist traces his devotion to history back to age 7, when his parents bought him a set of encyclopedias. — Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026 Google didn’t have to persuade people that typing a question into a search bar was better than navigating directories or flipping through encyclopedias. — Ira Belsky, Forbes.com, 20 Mar. 2026 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 Instead, the eight search results ranged from a general entry about online encyclopedias to seven entries primarily about Wikipedia. — NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encyclopedias
  1. books
  2. dictionaries
  3. catalogs
Noun
  • The Colorado Rockies’ history books are littered with elite offensive names and gaudy statistics.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The Poet’s Vault adds another layer to the experience, offering customers a selection of new and vintage vinyl records and books.
    — Evan Moore July 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026
Definition of books
Noun
  • Most dictionaries do not even list the meaning—’to kill’—that the government now proposes.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 July 2026
  • Christmas hams, party cocktails, elegant layer cakes, and cookout classics fill the dictionaries of Southern family recipes, but one of my favorites is a simple vinaigrette from my grandmother.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 2 July 2026
Definition of dictionaries
Noun
  • Streaming platforms make their vast catalogs timeless, while pop culture moments, such as the blockbuster Michael Jackson biopic and TV placements, reintroduce their music to new, younger audiences.
    — David Deal, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Instead of exporting and formatting spreadsheets, this automatically syncs product catalogs and transaction data.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 27 July 2026
Definition of catalogs

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Cite this Entry

“Encyclopedias.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encyclopedias. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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