Citing an Encyclopedia Entry in APA
- Written by Rebecca Cahill
- Published on 04/09/2026
An encyclopedia can take many forms. It could be a singular book, multiple volumes, or an entirely online resource. Some encyclopedias will provide small amounts of information about general topics, but others will reference highly specialized topics (e.g., military history, psychology, ornithology). Be sure to check your local public library or organizational library to ensure you are taking advantage of these resources.
Citing a Complete Encyclopedia
Remember that citations will differ if the encyclopedia is in a print version versus electronic version.
| Citation |
Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Britannica.com encyclopedia. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://www.britannica.com/
|
| Structure |
Organization. (date). Title of Encyclopedia. Retrieval Date, from URL
|
Citing a Complete Encyclopedia with an Editor
Do not confuse the use of editors with the concept of different editions of a text.
| Citation |
Hirschfeld, G., Krumeich, G., & Renz, I. (Eds.). (2012). Brill’s encyclopedia of the first world war. Brill.
|
| Structure |
Last Name, Initials (Ed. or Eds.). (date). Title of encyclopedia. Publisher Name.
|
Citing a Singular Encyclopedia Entry
If a singular entry exists, but does not list an author, you will default to the name of the publishing body.
| Citation |
Sesser, D. (2024). Nannie Greshman Biscoe House. Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Central Arkansas Library System. https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/nannie-gresham-biscoe-house-13619/
|
| Structure |
Last Name, Initials. (date). Title of Entry. Title of encyclopedia. Publisher Name. URL
|
 |
When citing an online reference that is continually updated, you will use “n.d.” to indicate ‘no date’. In this instance, you will also include a retrieval date for the content. When completing an APA citation, you will include the title of an entry or the title of an encyclopedia. You should use sentence case capitalization, unless the title contains a proper noun. |
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Rebecca Cahill
Rebecca Cahill is an assistant principal in the U.S. who works with students across diverse educational disciplines, providing guidance in research, academic writing, and citation. She supports learners at all levels, from young adults beginning with research skills to adults pursuing advanced degrees.