Online encyclopedia or dictionary


You may need to consult more than one section to accurately represent the source used (eg. number of authors and source descriptions)


Elements, punctuation & capitalisation

20. Title of Encyclopedia/Dictionary, s.v. “Title of Entry,” accessed Date, DOI (or URL).

Footnote example

20. eMelbourne: The Encyclopedia of Melbourne, s.v. "Street Lighting," accessed June 17, 2010, http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM01432b.htm.

Second and subsequent entries:

27. eMelbourne, "Street Lighting."


Format for bibliography entries

Elements, punctuation & capitalisation

Well-known reference works (such as major dictionaries and encyclopedias) are commonly only cited in footnotes, however it is appropriate to include them in your bibliography if they form a critical part of your research, or if they are frequently cited. Check with your lecturer if you are unsure.

Title of Encyclopedia/Dictionary. Access date. DOI (or URL).

Bibliography entry example

eMelbourne: The Encyclopedia of Melbourne. Accessed June 17, 2010. http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM01432b.htm.


Style notes for this reference type

  • See Manual 14.233.
  • Online versions of encyclopedias should be cited like their printed counterparts (see Manual 14.232).
  • For references to an alphabetically arranged work, cite the item (not the volume or page number) preceded by 's.v'. (sub verbo), which means "under the word". The plural form is 's.vv' (Manual 14.232).
  • Chicago recommends including access dates for online encyclopedias and other reference works.
  • Give the DOI when available, otherwise use the URL.
  • Online reference works are normally cited in notes rather than in the bibliography. However, they should be included if they form a critical part of your research, or if they are frequently cited. Check with your lecturer if you are unsure.
  • Publication details are generally omitted.
  • For certain reference works it may be appropriate to cite individual entries by author, much like contributions to a chapter in an edited book (see 14.234). Include these citations in the bibliography.

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