An APA dictionary citation formats the entry as: Publisher. (Year). Word. In Dictionary Name. Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL. Use "n.d." for online entries and include a retrieval date.
How to Cite a Dictionary Definition in APA Style
Citing a dictionary entry in APA 7th edition requires you to treat the dictionary publisher as the author, list the publication year (or n.d. for online), the word you are citing, the name of the dictionary (italicized), the publisher (if separate), a retrieval date, and the URL.
The basic format for an online dictionary entry is:
APA Dictionary Citation Examples
| Type | APA 7th Edition Reference Entry |
|---|---|
| Online Dictionary (Merriam-Webster) | Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Antigravity. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antigravity |
| Online Encyclopedia / Thesaurus | Lexico. (n.d.). Altruism. In Lexico thesaurus. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://www.lexico.com/thesaurus/altruism |
| Print Dictionary | Oxford University Press. (2010). Empathy. In Oxford dictionary of English (3rd ed.). |
Key Rules for Dictionary References
- Retrieval Date: Always include the retrieval date for online dictionary references because the content is continuously modified.
- n.d. (No date): Use `(n.d.)` for the year in online citations, as online entries do not specify an edit date.
- Italics: Italicize the name of the dictionary (e.g. *Merriam-Webster.com dictionary*), not the word itself.
- In-text citations: For in-text citations, use parenthetical citations with the word in quotation marks: e.g., `("Antigravity," n.d.)`.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I cite a dictionary entry in APA format?
To cite a dictionary entry in APA 7th edition: Publisher/Author. (Year). Word. In Dictionary Name. Publisher (if separate). Retrieved Month Day, Year, from URL. For example: Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Antigravity. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved June 24, 2026, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antigravity
What author do I list for a dictionary definition?
For dictionaries with no named authors (like Merriam-Webster or Oxford English Dictionary), use the name of the publishing company or organisation as the author. E.g., "Merriam-Webster" or "Oxford University Press".
Why is "n.d." commonly used for online dictionary citations?
Online dictionaries are continuously updated, and individual word entry pages do not list a specific date of creation or edit. Therefore, you should use the abbreviation (n.d.) for "no date" in parentheses, and include a retrieval date in the reference.
Do I need to include a retrieval date for dictionary citations?
Yes, if you are citing an online dictionary that is continuously updated and does not provide an archive link, you must include a retrieval date: "Retrieved June 24, 2026, from [URL]" before the link.
Is this APA dictionary citation generator free?
Yes, this tool is 100% free with no registration required. Use URL auto-fill for dictionary entry lookups or enter the details manually.