In academic writing, it is crucial to give credit to the sources used for research. The Modern Language Association (MLA) citation style is widely used in the humanities. One of the common sources that students and researchers use for definition purposes is a dictionary. This article presents three different ways to cite a dictionary meaning in MLA.

1.Citing a Print Dictionary

When citing a print dictionary, you need to include the name of the entry, the name of the dictionary, the edition number, the publication year, and the page number where the entry can be found. Here’s how to format it:

“Word.” Dictionary Title, Edition number, Publisher, Publication Year, page number.

Example:

“Emulate.” Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed., Merriam-Webster Inc., 2003, p. 397.

2.Citing an Online Dictionary

For an online dictionary, you need to provide the name of the entry, name of the dictionary or website, URL, and date you accessed it. Format it as follows:

“Word.” Online Dictionary/Website Title, Website Name/Publisher (if available), URL. Accessed Day Month Year.

Example:

“Synergy.” Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge University Press,

dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/synergy. Accessed 6 Feb. 2021.

3.In-Text Citation

To acknowledge when you have used a dictionary meaning in your work, you need to give an in-text citation. You can use parenthetical citations or signal phrases (using author’s/editor’s last name) within your text.

– Parenthetical citation: Include the word followed by the relevant page number or ‘n.pag.’ if there are no page numbers.

(“Word” Page Number) or (“Word”)

Example: (“Emulate” 397) or (“Synergy”)

– Signal phrase: Mention the source within your sentence, followed by the page number (if available) in parentheses.

According to Dictionary Title, …

Example: According to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, … (397)

Following these guidelines will help you cite dictionary definitions correctly in your work and demonstrate an adherence to academic standards. While referencing a dictionary might seem straightforward, it is essential to apply the appropriate MLA format to ensure accuracy and consistency throughout your document.