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.

plural of walking encyclopedia

(US) Synonym of walking dictionary

plural of encyclopedian

(uncommon) Encyclopedic.

Of or pertaining to encyclopaediae; relating to encyclopedias.

(rare) encyclopedic