Giving credit is essential in academic writing, even when using a dictionary. Learning how to cite a dictionary properly prevents plagiarism and adds authority to your work. It shows you’ve carefully defined your terms, even if the rules for different formats seem like a puzzle.
TLDR: To cite a dictionary, you need the word (entry), the dictionary name, the publisher, the publication date, and the URL if it’s an online dictionary. For a print dictionary, you’ll also need the edition and page number. The exact format depends on the citation style your teacher requires, like APA, MLA, or Chicago.
Think of a citation as a map leading your reader to your source, be it a heavy, dust-scented print dictionary or a sleek web page. Getting the details right for a dictionary entry might seem minor, but it makes your argument feel more solid and authoritative. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.
The core components are nearly always the same. You start with the term you’re defining. Then, you provide the source information. For an online dictionary like Merriam Webster, the publication date might be the year of the last update or the copyright date at the bottom of the page. For print dictionaries, this is much simpler, it’s on the copyright page. The real trick is arranging these pieces according to the specific style guide you’re following.
Quick Tip: If a dictionary entry has multiple definitions, your citation needs to specify which one you used. Both MLA style and APA style have rules for including a definition number to make your citation ultra-specific.
Citation Formats at a Glance
The formatting differs slightly between citation styles. Notice the small but key differences in punctuation and order below. Getting these details right is essential.
| Style | Format Example (Online Dictionary) |
|---|---|
| APA 7 |
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Serendipity. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved July 20, 2025, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serendipity |
| MLA Style |
“Serendipity.” Merriam-Webster.com, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serendipity. Accessed 20 July 2025. |
| Chicago |
Merriam-Webster.com, s.v. “serendipity,” accessed July 20, 2025, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serendipity. |
Here’s what that looks like broken down for an APA style reference for the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary:
“Merriam-Webster. [Author/Organization] (n.d.). [Publication Date; n.d. for no date] Serendipity. [Word/Entry Title] In Merriam-Webster’s dictionary. [Dictionary Title] Retrieved July 20, 2025, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serendipity [Retrieval Date & URL]“
The Nuance of In-Text Citation
Your full reference is paired with in-text citations in your paragraphs. These brief, parenthetical notes signal where you used the dictionary definition. Usually, this is just the author and year. If there’s no author, the organization (e.g., Merriam-Webster) often serves as the author. Otherwise, the entry’s title comes first.
APA in-text citation: (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).
MLA in-text citation: (“Serendipity”).
For clean reading, your first mention can be detailed while subsequent citations are simpler. If you’re stuck, a citation generator can help, but always double-check its work.
Citing Historical Dictionaries
For a deeper analysis, consider citing historical dictionaries. Comparing an old definition to a modern online version can reveal how a word’s meaning has evolved. The citation process is the same as for any print dictionary, but using the historical publication year adds a powerful contextual layer to your argument.
How do I handle a dictionary with no author?
For most online dictionaries and print dictionaries, the publisher or organization (e.g., Oxford University Press, Merriam-Webster) acts as the author. In your citation, you would list the organization in the author’s position. If there is truly no author or publisher listed, you would start the citation with the dictionary title or the specific dictionary entry you are citing.
What if there’s no publication date?
This is common for online sources that are continuously updated. In APA style, you use “(n.d.)” which stands for “no date.” In MLA format, you simply omit the date and include an access date at the end of the citation. For a physical dictionary, if you genuinely cannot find a date, you might note that in an annotation, but it’s very rare for a book not to have a copyright year.
Do I need to include page numbers for an online dictionary?
No, you do not need a page number for a dictionary entry from an online dictionary because there are no fixed pages. Instead, you provide the direct URL to the entry. You only use page numbers when you cite a dictionary that is a physical, printed book. For more on citing various dictionaries, the Chicago Manual of Style offers extensive resources.