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Mastering APA Citations for Merriam-Webster Dictionary Entries: A Comprehensive Guide



Accurate and consistent citation is crucial for academic integrity. While citing books and journals is relatively straightforward, citing dictionary entries, especially those from a reputable source like Merriam-Webster, presents unique challenges. This article addresses common issues faced when citing Merriam-Webster dictionary entries using the American Psychological Association (APA) style, providing a clear and comprehensive guide to ensure accuracy and avoid plagiarism.

I. Understanding the Unique Nature of Dictionary Citations



Unlike books or articles, dictionary entries don't have authors in the traditional sense. Instead, the "author" is the editorial team responsible for compiling and maintaining the dictionary. This necessitates a slightly different approach to APA citation. Moreover, you need to specify the edition and publication date of the dictionary to ensure the reader can locate the exact source of your definition. Failure to do so undermines the credibility of your work.

II. Citing Merriam-Webster Dictionary Entries in APA Style: A Step-by-Step Guide



The core elements required for citing a Merriam-Webster dictionary entry in APA style are:

1. Entry Name: The word or term you are defining.
2. Year of Publication: The copyright year of the dictionary edition you used.
3. Dictionary Name: "Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary," "Merriam-Webster's Unabridged Dictionary," etc. Specify the specific dictionary you consulted.
4. Edition: Indicate the edition (e.g., 11th ed.). If it's an online version, specify that.


Example 1: Print Dictionary

Let's say you looked up the definition of "ephemeral" in the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition, published in 2003. Your in-text citation would look like this:

(ephemeral, 2003)


Your reference list entry would be:

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. (2003). 11th ed. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster.


Example 2: Online Dictionary

If you accessed the definition of "ubiquitous" from Merriam-Webster's online dictionary on October 26, 2023, your in-text citation would be:

(ubiquitous, n.d.)


Your reference list entry would be:


Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 26, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ubiquitous


Note: "n.d." (no date) is used when the online dictionary doesn't provide a specific publication date. Always include the retrieval date for online sources. Replace "https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ubiquitous" with the actual URL you used.



III. Addressing Common Challenges



A. Multiple Meanings: If you use more than one definition from the same entry, you must specify which definition you're referring to. You can do this by including the definition number in parentheses after the word. For example: (ephemeral, 2003, def. 1).


B. No Publication Date for Online Entries: While the ideal situation is finding a publication date, many online entries lack this information. In this case, use "n.d." (no date) and ensure you include the retrieval date.


C. Different Merriam-Webster Dictionaries: Merriam-Webster publishes various dictionaries (Collegiate, Unabridged, etc.). Always specify the exact dictionary you used as the information and definitions might vary between them.


D. Using Direct Quotations: When directly quoting a definition, enclose the quoted material in quotation marks and cite it correctly, as shown in the examples above. Remember to also include the page number if using a print version. For online versions, the page number will be unavailable.


IV. Conclusion



Mastering APA citations for Merriam-Webster dictionary entries requires attention to detail and adherence to specific formatting guidelines. By following the step-by-step guide and understanding the nuances discussed, you can accurately and consistently cite your sources, upholding academic integrity and enhancing the credibility of your work. Remember to always double-check your citations to ensure accuracy before submitting your work.


V. FAQs



1. Can I cite a specific etymology from Merriam-Webster? Yes, you can. In addition to the standard information, specify that you're referencing the etymology section. For example, in the in-text citation, you could add "(etymology)".


2. What if I used multiple Merriam-Webster dictionaries in my research? List each dictionary separately in your References list, following the format provided earlier.


3. Is it acceptable to paraphrase definitions from Merriam-Webster without direct quotation marks? Yes, paraphrasing is acceptable, but be sure to cite the source correctly, as demonstrated in the examples. Avoid simply rewording the definition without attribution.


4. How do I cite Merriam-Webster’s online thesaurus? The citation format is very similar to the dictionary. You would substitute "Merriam-Webster's Thesaurus" for the dictionary title and include the retrieval date.


5. What if the online Merriam-Webster entry has a revision date? If a revision date is available, use that date in place of "n.d." in your reference entry. This is generally preferred over the retrieval date.

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APA (7th ed.) referencing guide (Online) - Swansea University 24 Feb 2025 · Merriam-Webster (n.d.) describe... ... (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). Print dictionary. Group Author. (Year). Word defined. In Title (edition., page number). Publisher. Example: …

Library Guides: APA Citation Guide (7th Edition): Dictionaries ... APA Citation Guide (7th Edition): Dictionaries, Thesauruses and Encyclopedias Note: This guide reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7). Welcome

How do I cite from a webster dictionary, apa style? Is it just like a ... Title & subtitle of the book: In Merriam-Webster's dictionary The title and subtitle are separated by a colon. Capitalize only the first word of the title and subtitle and all proper nouns or names.

How do I reference an online dictionary using APA (7th ed.)? 6 Sep 2021 · If the authors are the same, but the items don’t have a date, you need to write n.d. for no date, and add the lowercase letters as before, but this time you also need a hyphen …

How to Cite a Dictionary in APA | EasyBib Citations 10 Aug 2012 · Reference page citation if an organization is both the author and publisher: Organization Name. (Year published). Dictionary name (edition if applicable). Merriam …

How to Reference Webster's Dictionary in APA Format 28 Jul 2022 · There are two ways to reference the Merriam-Webster dictionary using APA style, depending on whether you use the online or print version. Write the name of the word in all …

APA Citation Guide (7th edition) CGS - UWM Libraries 7 Jun 2024 · If an encyclopedia or dictionary entry does not indicate a specific author or co-authors, begin the citation with a group author such as Merriam-Webster or American …

Dictionary/Encyclopedia - APA Citation Style (7th edition) 24 Mar 2025 · (Merriam-Webster, 2004) Dictionary definition (electronic with author, no date or continuously updated) (Sec. 10.3 #47, #48 APA Publication Manual, pp 326-329) When an …

Citation Help for APA, 7th Edition: Dictionary - College of St. 21 Nov 2024 · Author or Creator: Merriam-Webster. Begin the reference with the group author or creator of the book. For group authors, list the group author or company exactly as it appears …

How to Cite a Dictionary | Chegg Writing 28 Jan 2021 · To create a reference or citation for a dictionary, you will need to know the dictionary name, definition word, accessed date, and URL. The examples below will show you …

How Do You Cite The Merriam Webster Dictionary In Apa 7Th … 16 Nov 2022 · How do you cite Merriam-Webster Dictionary in APA? Explanation. Title & subtitle of the book: In Merriam-Webster’s dictionary. Put the word “In” followed by the title. Edition of …

How to Cite- examples (7th ed.) - APA Citation Style, 6th edition & 7th ... Parenthetical & narrative citation example: Parenthetical citations: (APA Databases, 2019; Gates, 2019) Narrative citations: APA Databases (2019) and Gates (2019)

Citing the Dictionary and Other Online Sources - Merriam-Webster 8 May 2011 · A citation of any online dictionary or thesaurus should include the following information: headword of the entry cited (in quotes) title of the source (in italics)

APA Citation Guide (7th edition) : Encyclopedias and Dictionaries 16 Sep 2024 · If an encyclopedia or dictionary entry does not indicate a specific author or co-authors, begin the citation with a group author such as Merriam-Webster or American …

APA Dictionary Citation Generator & Examples | Chegg Writing 2 Feb 2021 · Citing a dictionary entry in APA style. In-text citation template and example: Narrative: Company name (n.d.). Merriam-Webster (n.d.). Parenthetical: (Company name, …

Dictionary Entry References - APA Style Narrative citations: American Psychological Association (n.d.) and Merriam-Webster (n.d.) Because entries in the APA Dictionary of Psychology and Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary are …

APA Style, 7th edition - Citing Sources - Regis College 24 Oct 2019 · Parenthetical citation: (Merriam-Webster, n.d.) Narrative citation: Merriam-Webster (n.d.) More information about citing dictionary entries can be found here at the APA Style …

How to Cite a Dictionary Entry in APA Referencing 5 Feb 2021 · As such, when citing an online dictionary in APA style, you should: Cite the publishing organization in place of an individual author (e.g., Merriam-Webster, Oxford …

APA Citation Guide (7th edition) : Encyclopedias & Dictionaries 1 Apr 2025 · If an encyclopedia or dictionary entry does not indicate a specific author or co-authors, begin the citation with a group author such as Merriam-Webster or American …

Tips for teaching writing in the age of AI - APA Style 4 Mar 2025 · On the APA Style team, we are always looking for experts to help us with our writing and decision-making. For example, if we have questions on spelling or usage of a word, we …

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias - APA Style - Research Guides at … 24 Apr 2014 · In Meriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved April 24, 2014, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literacy *Parenthetical citation: (Merriam …