A comprehensive reference work (often spanning several printed volumes) with articles (usually arranged in alphabetical order, or sometimes arranged by category) on a range of subjects, sometimes general, sometimes limited to a particular field.

plural of encyclopedia

plural of encyclopedia

(science fiction) A compendium of all knowledge, or most of the important knowledge, an encyclopedia for a galaxy-spanning civilization. A science-fictional analogue of the Encyclopedia Britannica. This term is used in many works by many authors, and prominently found in Douglas Adams' Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy series and Isaac Asimov's Foundation series.

(US) Synonym of walking dictionary

plural of walking encyclopedia

Resembling or characteristic of an encyclopedia.

(archaic) encyclopedic

Encyclopedic; embracing the whole circle of learning, or a wide range of subjects.

A person who has an encyclopedic knowledge.