How to Cite a Dictionary Entry in APA (7th edition)
Learn how to cite a dictionary definition or entry in APA format (7th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
APA Reference List Format
Here is the standard APA format for citing a dictionary entry in your reference list:
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Word. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/word
APA Example for a Dictionary Entry
A complete APA reference for a dictionary entry, formatted by the official APA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Citation, n. (2023). In Compendium English Dictionary (4th ed.). Compendium Press. https://www.example.org/dictionary/citation
Matching in-text citation: (“Citation, n.,” 2023)
APA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Publisher, n.d.)
Narrative
Publisher (n.d.) defines...
Key APA Formatting Rules
- Use (n.d.) if no publication date is listed.
- Include the retrieval date because entries may change.
- Start with the publisher name if no individual author is listed.
- Link directly to the specific entry URL.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your dictionary entry.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the APA (7th edition) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match APA requirements.
Evidence and review notes
Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.
CSL style record: apa.csl
Metadata to collect
- dictionary name
- publisher
- the term defined
- edition or year
- entry URL
- date accessed
Common metadata traps
- Online entries change; record the date you accessed the entry.
- Link to the specific entry, not the dictionary homepage.
Editorial sources
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a dictionary entry in APA?
- To cite a dictionary entry in APA (7th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the APA format for a dictionary entry citation?
- The APA format for a dictionary entry is: Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Word. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/word
- What does the in-text citation look like for a dictionary entry in APA?
- In APA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Publisher, n.d.)
Generate This Citation Automatically
Skip the manual formatting. Paste a DOI, URL, or ISBN into CitationEasy and get a perfectly formatted APA citation in seconds.
Cite in APA Now →Generate this citation
Paste a URL, DOI, ISBN, or the source details and get a finished APA citation for a Dictionary Entry.
Open the Dictionary Citation Generator →Bibliography Studio
Saved citations build a full bibliography in the Studio