How to Do a Citation for a Glossary in APA Format

The American Psychological Association format is a writing style used in the social and behavioral sciences as well as many other disciplines. APA format guides the way you cite sources to properly attribute material.

Print-Based Glossary

A citation for a print-based glossary should begin with the title of the entry. You also must include the edition number, place of publication and publisher.

For example:

Phenomenology. (2004). In Merriam-Webster's dictionary (italicize all words except "In") (11th ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

When you cite this entry within your text, use the word and the year within parentheses.

For example: (Phenomenology, 2004).

If you quote from the definition, you must also include the page number.

For example: (Phenomenology, 2004, p.599).

Online Glossary

Online glossary citations must include a link to the entry rather than the publication information.

For example:

Enigma. (2013). In Merriam-Webster online (italicize all words except "In"). Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enigma

If the entry does not have a date listed, use the abbreviation "n.d." in place of the year.

For example:

Enigma. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster online (italicize all words except "In"). Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enigma

When citing the word within the text, include the word and year. Even if you quote from an online entry, you do not need a page number. For example: (Engima, 2013).