How to Cite a Dictionary Entry in Turabian (9th edition)
Learn how to cite a dictionary definition or entry in Turabian format (9th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
Turabian Bibliography Format
Here is the standard Turabian format for citing a dictionary entry in your bibliography:
Cite in a note, not the bibliography: Dictionary Name, s.v. "Word," accessed Month Day, Year, https://url.
Turabian Example for a Dictionary Entry
A complete Turabian reference for a dictionary entry, formatted by the official Turabian CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Compendium English Dictionary. 2023. “Citation, n.” 4th ed. Compendium Press. https://www.example.org/dictionary/citation.
Matching in-text citation: (Compendium English Dictionary 2023, “Citation, n.”)
Turabian In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Publisher n.d.)
Narrative
Publisher (n.d.) defines...
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 Turabian (9th 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 bibliography: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match Turabian 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: turabian.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.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I cite a dictionary entry in Turabian?
- To cite a dictionary entry in Turabian (9th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
- What is the Turabian format for a dictionary entry citation?
- The Turabian format for a dictionary entry is: Cite in a note, not the bibliography: Dictionary Name, s.v. "Word," accessed Month Day, Year, https://url.
- What does the in-text citation look like for a dictionary entry in Turabian?
- In Turabian, the in-text citation for the example above is (Publisher n.d.)
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