Writing involves frequent use of additional sources of information and the importance of how to cite a dictionary in APA. Dictionaries and encyclopedias are highly helpful in citing specific notions. You can cite different subject areas and disciplines. These are engineering, psychology, social sciences, and science.
Adhering to this specific style and formatting will make your research paper more original. It will be accepted by other committed representatives. That is because the work will not copy the concepts and ideas of other authors. It will reflect unique approaches and thoughts with correct citation to similar conceptions. For your good, we have outlined all the main rules. You can also find accurate and correct examples of referencing these sources. So check this guide from our dissertation help service and make your paperwork perfectly written!
APA Dictionary Citation: Definition and Purpose
APA citation dictionary contains various entry elements that you must include. Terms, interpretations, explanations are often found exactly in dictionaries. So, it becomes a handy material to enrich research papers with valuable items.
Accordingly, to start citing a dictionary, one will point out an author, publication date, citing word, dictionary name, retrieved date, publisher. Usually, it is available online. You should also refer to an online dictionary. Accordingly, URL address should be mentioned too. Thus, keep reading our guide to find out how to provide in-text quotes! You will also learn different citations rules on a reference page in the next section. Alternatively, you can ask our academic professionals to ‘write my college paper’ and get flawless assistance.
APA Dictionary and Encyclopedia: The Main Difference
When it comes to reference, there is a difference in how to cite an online encyclopedia APA. It is essential to clarify the meaning of each notion. Dictionary comprises linguistic information about words with their interpretations. It always demonstrates various examples of usage. Scientists often come to look up specific terms in terminological, narrow specialized dictionaries.
On the other hand, encyclopedia discloses every additional thing associated with a word cited. It can be an environment it is used in or geographical connotation. Culture, mentality it refers to, and other options are okay too. Encyclopedias cover many branches of knowledge. That's why they became an integral part of investigation for a researcher.
The citation method is almost equal to both references. But some entry elements differ. It can be the use of Editor’s Name when referring to encyclopedias. So how to cite these two references correctly? Follow our instructions and get valuable insights.
How to Cite an Online Dictionary in APA Style: Website
Researchers operate with a notions from an online dictionary from a website. That's when they need to meet APA dictionary citation. Typically, it may contain an author or website name. Add the entry title used in work is cited in reference list and in-text citation.
The general format of an entry is as follows:
Reference | Last Name, Initials of an Author. (Publication Year). Word, In Editor’s Initials. Last Name (Ed.), Website Name, Publisher. URL address (http://). |
Example:
In APA style, Publication Year is given in parentheses, Source Name is italicized. Between Editor's Name and Dictionary Name there is a comma.
In-text citation includes only two positions. These are Author Last Name and Publication Year taken in parentheses. Due to narrative approach, the first position is taken out of parentheses. The formats of in-text citations are the next:
Parenthetical in-text citation | (Author Last Name, Publication Year) |
Narrative in-text citation | Author Last Name (Publication Year) |
Example:
How to Cite Dictionary or Encyclopedia From a Website APA: Multiple Authors
Do you want to know how to cite a dictionary (APA) with multiple authors? After all, they can be mentioned in a dictionary or encyclopedia. There is nothing tricky. There are two simple rules to consider.
- When 2 or 3 authors are mentioned, they should be listed and separated with commas. The last Author Name is used with ampersand instead of “and” before it.
- If there are more than 7 authors, then the first 19 of them should be placed with the following ellipsis (...) and the last author name.
Thus, this format looks like this:
Reference with multiple authors | Author(s) Last Name, Initials. (Year). Entry Title. In Editor initials. Last name (Ed.), Encyclopedia name (Edition). Publisher. From URL |
Example:
An in-text citation with multiple authors involves the same format as in the previous section. But with more than 7 authors, an abbreviation “et al.” should be used after the first Author Name due to APA style.
APA Dictionary or Encyclopedia Citation From a Website: No Author
When researcher provides APA citation, encyclopedia's articles can lack author's name. But citing your source is crucial for your work! This concerns dictionaries as well. Information is regularly updated, but no author, editor, or date can be unavailable. Accordingly, a name of an entry title replaces Author(s) Name. And the reference format takes such a look:
Reference with no author | Entry Title. (Year), In Editor’s Name (Ed.), Website Name, Retrieval Date, from URL. |
Example:
In-text format reference takes the same shape as in an example of the previous section. It concerns APA style. If you need how to cite a dictionary in MLA, there are other rules to follow.
How to Cite an Online Dictionary in APA: No Date
As mentioned above, a researcher can come across information with no date placed. But the APA in-text citation dictionary should be provided somehow! The general entry format is standard. Only the Publication Year element is replaced by the abbreviation “n.d.” (no date). Consequently, the format is as follows:
Reference without date | Author Name/Organization Name. (n.d.). Entry Title. Website Name, Retrieved Date, URL. |
Example:
In-text no date citation keeps the same two componential structures with “n.d.”.
Parenthetical in-text citation | (Author Last Name, n.d.) |
Narrative in-text citation | Author Last Name (n.d.) |
Example:
How to Cite a Print Dictionary in APA Style
Citing the dictionary APA in a print edition is still in use. It usually doesn’t list authors. But when it does, Author Name should be given as well as Publisher. Thus, the general format is as follows, including compulsory elements like:
Reference | Author's Last Name, Initials. (Year). Term. In Dictionary Name (Edition, Page number). Publisher. |
Example:
APA format in text citation of print dictionaries involves the same structure. Check out these examples below:
Parenthetical in-text citation | (Author Last Name, Year) |
Example:
How to Cite a Dictionary or Encyclopedia in Print APA With Multiple Authors
A similar format is applied for citing an encyclopedia (APA) when dealing with multiple authors. One should account for a number of authors to understand how correctly to present a citation at large. An Entry structure is the same as in the previous section but containing possible multiple authors:
Reference with multiple authors | Author(s) Name. (Year). Term. Dictionary/Encyclopedia Name. (Edition, Page number). Publisher. |
Example:
When referring to a term in a text, a multitude of more than 7 authors is expressed through “et al.” after the first Author Name.
Example:
APA Citing a Dictionary or Encyclopedia in Print With No Author
Looking for specific terms, in APA citation of dictionary, researchers frequently will face articles with an entry word and no author in it. In this case, Entry Title replaces Author Name and follows a format:
Reference with no author | Entry Title. (Year), In Dictionary/Encyclopedia Name. (Edition, Page number). Publisher. |
Example:
When you cite a source in-text, provide your Entry Title in quotation marks. If Entry Name is long, then you shouldn't shorten it.
Example:
You may face with citing a government website APA in your work. If it is such an occasion, follow all the rules and pay attention to the different details we prepare in our blog.
How to Cite a Printed Dictionary or Encyclopedia With No Date
The standard approach is used almost in all cases to cite a dictionary APA in print. The compulsory elements are the same, with some modifications on the existence or absence of an author. Another point is related to no date identified. Thus, a writer should use “n.d.” (meaning no date) instead of Publication Year. So, the format takes a general look:
Reference with no date | Author(s) Name. (n.d.). Entry Title. Dictionary/Encyclopedia Name. (Edition, Page number). Publisher. |
Example:
In case you face with APA PowerPoint citations, just open one more blog we prepared for our users. Use the guide and follow all the rules to cope with this task easily.
How to Cite a Dictionary in APA: Final Thoughts
Starting an educational performance at a university or other institution, lots of students will stumble upon a question "how to cite a dictionary in APA". The manual for it can be included practically in every research work. Every researcher deals with a range of terms and interpretations they need to present within work as well as to cite them in references.
We have shown you the main principles of citing a dictionary or encyclopedia in detail with practical examples. Whether there is no author, no date, or any other entry element, each rule is explained easily and understandably. So, you will proceed with your quality writings and on-time delivery. We welcome you to sign up for our service and be up-to-date with all novelties and insights we want to share with you.
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