When you use a specific definition in a paper, you will need to quote the dictionary you used on the "Works Cited" or "Sources" page. Each style guide has its own citation rules, and these rules vary depending on whether the dictionary is a print or online source.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Printed Dictionary in MLA
Step 1. Write down the word you have defined
The word should be written in quotes and in uppercase. End with a period.
Citation
Step 2. Indicate the number related to the definition
If the term has more than one definition in the dictionary, indicate which one you used. The number indicates the item number, as some words have more than one, while the letter indicates the definition under the item you used. End with a period.
"Citation." Def. 1e
Step 3. Type the name of the dictionary you used
Write the dictionary name in italics and end with a period.
"Citation." Def. 1e. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
Step 4. Write the year of publication
It is not necessary to write the complete date. You just have to indicate the year in which the specific version of the dictionary you used was published. End with a period.
"Citation." Def. 1e. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. 2003
Step 5. Specify that the dictionary is printed
Since sources can be on different mediums, the MLA style requires you to specify which medium you used. In this case it will simply be "Printed."
"Citation." Def. 1e. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. 2003. Printed
Method 2 of 6: Online DIzionario in MLA
Step 1. Identify the quoted word
Write the word in quotes and in uppercase. End with a period.
Citation
Step 2. Indicate the original source
Online dictionaries often borrow definitions from printed dictionaries. Usually the dictionary from which the definitions are taken is indicated at the end of the entry. Write the name in italics and end with a period.
- "Citation." Random House Dictionary.
- Note: If the online source is an original dictionary and not a third party one, skip directly to point 2.4, to indicate the source of the publication.
Step 3. Indicate the place of publication, the publisher and the year in which the original dictionary was published
In the case of a publishing house in a large city like London or New York, only the name of the city needs to be written. If it is a city in the United States that is not very well known, include the state. Put a colon after the place of publication and then write the name of the publisher. Then, put a comma and the year of publication of the dictionary.
"Citation." Random House Dictionary. New York: Random House, Inc., 2012
Step 4. Specify the source published online
The source published online is the online dictionary from which you drew the definition. You need to provide only the name, not the URL.
"Citation." Random House Dictionary. New York: Random House, Inc., 2012. Dictionary.com
Step 5. Indicates that the definition is taken from the internet
the MLA format requires that you indicate the type of medium from which the information comes.
"Citation." Random House Dictionary. New York: Random House, Inc., 2012. Dictionary.com. Web
Step 6. Conclude with the date you viewed the definition
Write the day, month and year. You don't need to introduce the date in any way, but you should end with a period.
"Citation." Random House Dictionary. New York: Random House, Inc., 2012. Dictionary.com. Web. December 5, 2012
Method 3 of 6: Printed Dictionary in APA
Step 1. Indicate the dictionary entry used
You don't have to put it in quotes, but you have to end with a period.
Citation
Step 2. Indicate the publication date
The publication date of the dictionary must be indicated in brackets and followed by a period.
Citation. (2003)
Step 3. If available, specify the name of the editor
Often this information is not given; if so, leave this space blank.
Step 4. Type the name of the dictionary you used
Italicize the dictionary name, but don't put any punctuation after it.
Citation. (2003). Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
Step 5. Write the page number, publisher and volume in parentheses
The page number should be introduced with "p." The edition should be specified by adding "ed." at the end and the volume should be introduced with "Vol." Each piece of information should be separated by a comma.
Citation. (2003). Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (p. 57, 11th ed., Vol. 1)
Step 6. Finish with the place of publication and the name of the publisher
If the name of the city is not well known or obvious, clarify where it is by adding the name of the state. The place of publication and the publisher should be separated by a comma. End with a period.
Citation. (2003). Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (p. 57, 11th ed., Vol. 1). Springfield, Massachusetts: Encyclopedia Britannica
Method 4 of 6: Online Dictionary in APA
Step 1. Specify all the information you have about the original publication
This includes the defined word, the year of publication, the original dictionary from which the word came, the place of publication and the name of the publisher.
Citation. (2012). Random House Dictionary. New York: Random House, Inc
Step 2. Indicate the online source from which you got the definition
You only have to write the name of the website and it should be in italics.
Citation. (2012). Random House Dictionary. New York: Random House, Inc. Dictionary.com
Step 3. Write the date you looked at the definition
Include the day, month, and year. Introduce it by writing “Consulted on,” and put a comma after the year.
Citation. (2012). Random House Dictionary. New York: Random House, Inc. Dictionary.com. Accessed December 5, 2012,
Step 4. Conclude with the URL of the definition
Enter the URL with the word "from." Don't put the period at the end.
Citation. (2012). Random House Dictionary. New York: Random House, Inc. Dictionary.com. Accessed December 5, 2012, from
Method 5 of 6: Printed Dictionary in the Chicago Style
Step 1. Write the name and of the dictionary used
The name should be in italics and followed by a comma.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary,
Step 2. Write down the edition of the dictionary used
The edition should be indicated by following the edition number with the abbreviation "ed." End with another comma.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed.,
Step 3. Indicate which word has been defined
Introduce the word by writing the initials "s.v.," which stand for the Latin expression "sub verbo," which means "under the word." Do not capitalize the word, unless it is a proper name, and put it in quotation marks. End with a period.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed., S.v. "citation."
Method 6 of 6: Chicago Style Online Dictionary
Step 1. Enter the name of the online dictionary
Write the dictionary name in italics. You only have to write the name of the online dictionary, not the name of the original dictionary. Put a comma after the name.
Dictionary.com,
Step 2. Enter the word you defined
Write "s.v" before the introduced word. In Latin "s.v." means "sub verbo," or "under the word" in Italian. Do not capitalize the word, but put it in quotation marks. End with a comma.
Dictionary.com, s.v., "quote,"
Step 3. Indicate when you viewed the information
Introduce the information with the word "consulted on." Include the month, day, and year. Put another comma.
Dictionary.com, s.v., "quote," accessed December 1, 2012,
Step 4. Conclude with the URL
Enter the URL without any introductory expressions. End with a period.
