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Introduction

Books

Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

Periodicals

Online Sources

Citing Encyclopedias and Dictionaries in Chicago Style 

Remember that entries in the Works Cited list are listed alphabetically by author.  This page is for print reference books; the electronic forms of reference books (such as CD-ROMs and online versions) add additional information.  

This citation style applies to familiar reference books.  Do not give full publication information for such books.  For other, less familiar, reference books, use the standard book style information.  

The components of a note for an encyclopedia article or dictionary entry, listed in the proper order:  

Component

Formatting Details

    Ending
Punctuation
Encyclopedia or Dictionary Title   Comma (,)
Edition/Date
  • If an edition number is given, include the number of the edition followed by "ed."   [Example]
  • Use a digit for the edition number, as in "5th. ed." or "3rd. ed." or "10th ed."  [Example]
   Comma (,)
Title
  • Begin this part with "s. v." (Latin for sub verbo, "under the word.")
  • Give the title of the entry in quotation marks.  [Example]
  • The period goes inside the quotation marks.  [Example]
  • If there is a title within the title or any quotation marks inside the title, transform the inner quotation marks to single quotes ("....'...'...").  
  • Capitalize only proper names.
   Period (.)

 

Citation Examples (from The Chicago Manual of Style)1

   1. Encyclopedia Britannica, 11th ed., s.v. "original package."
   2. Webster's New International Dictionary, 3d ed., s.v. "epistrophe."
   3. Columbia Encyclopedia, 4th ed., s.v. "cold war."
   4. Dictionary of American Biography, s.v. Wadsworth, Jeremiah."
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Created: 06/27/2000
Last Modified: 09/25/2002