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 annual celebration commemorating the 2001 launch of the free online encyclopedia will take place in Brooklyn this year at the Central Library. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025

Combined with Samuel’s excellent writing and direction, the film is both a period piece and an encyclopedia of reverence to the work of generations of filmmakers. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Yesterday was Wikipedia Day, celebrating the first edit made to the online encyclopedia on January 15, 2001. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 16 Jan. 2025

An overly gracious host with an almost disturbing open door policy, a film encyclopedia, and most important to me a friend. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025

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"