How to Cite Merriam-Webster in APA Format

Complete guide to citing Merriam-Webster in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

Merriam-Webster presents unique citation challenges that require specific guidance beyond general source type rules. This page provides targeted help for finding citation information, handling Merriam-Webster's particular format requirements, and avoiding common mistakes specific to this platform.

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Quick Reference: Merriam-Webster Citations

Reference List Format:
Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of webpage. Site Name. https://www.example.com/page

Merriam-Webster-Specific Notes:
Citing Merriam-Webster in APA 7th edition can be slightly different from citing typical works by individual authors or organizations, primarily due to the nature of dictionaries as reference works. For Merriam-Webster, the entry title (i.e., the word being defined) is italicized, and the year of the online publication is used. The format generally follows: Merriam-Webster. (Year). Title of entry. In Title of dictionary (edition). URL. An example would be: Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Resilience. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 15, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resilience.

One key difference with Merriam-Webster is the use of “n.d.” (no date) when the publication date is not specified, which is common with online dictionary entries. Another unique aspect is the retrieval date, which is required because online dictionary entries can change over time. This requirement often confuses students, as retrieval dates are generally not necessary for most other APA citations unless the material is likely to change, such as in wikis or other dynamic content.

To avoid common mistakes, students should ensure they include the retrieval date and format the title of the entry correctly. It's crucial to remember that the dictionary title is not italicized, unlike typical book titles, and pay close attention to the correct use of capitalization and italics. By adhering to these guidelines, students can accurately cite Merriam-Webster entries without the common pitfalls associated with this type of source.

In-Text Citation:
- Parenthetical: ([Author], [Year])
- Narrative: [Author] ([Year])

Key Points:
- Use Webpage format with Merriam-Webster specifics
- Locate citation info on Merriam-Webster's website
- Handle Merriam-Webster's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-30 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Where to Find Citation Information on Merriam-Webster

Navigating the Merriam-Webster website to locate citation information is a straightforward process, thanks to its user-friendly design. Whether you are citing a dictionary entry or an article from their online platform, understanding where to find key citation details is essential.

1. Finding the Author:
For most entries on Merriam-Webster's website, an individual author is not credited. This is common with reference materials like dictionaries. Instead, the website name, "Merriam-Webster," is often used as the author in citations. If you are citing an article or a specific feature that does include an author, look for an author byline near the top of the article, just beneath the headline. However, this is less common for standard dictionary entries.

2. Locating the Publication Date:
The publication date is crucial for citation purposes. On Merriam-Webster, this information is typically found under the headline of an article. For dictionary entries, a specific publication date might not be listed, as these are continually updated. In such cases, you should use "n.d." (no date) in your citation to indicate that no specific publication date is available.

3. Identifying the Title:
The title of the page or entry is prominently displayed at the top. For dictionary entries, this will be the word you looked up. For articles or essays, the title will be at the top of the page, typically in a larger, bold font.

4. Gathering the URL/Access Information:
The URL is vital for online citations and can be found in the browser's address bar at the top of the page. This URL provides the direct link to the specific page you are citing. Ensure you copy the complete URL to maintain accuracy.

Additional Tips for Merriam-Webster:
- Dictionary Entries: When citing a dictionary entry, format your citation with "Merriam-Webster" as the author, followed by the year "n.d." for no date, the title of the entry in italics, and the URL.
- Articles and Features: If citing an article, include the author's name (if available), the publication date, the title of the article, "Merriam-Webster" as the website name, and the URL.

Merriam-Webster is unique in its continuous updating of entries, reflecting the evolving nature of language. This means specific publication dates for dictionary entries are rare, necessitating the use of "n.d." in your citation. By following these steps, students can efficiently gather the necessary citation information when using Merriam-Webster as a source, ensuring their academic work adheres to proper citation standards.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Merriam-Webster Citation

What You Need

Before you begin creating a Merriam-Webster citation, ensure you have the following:

  1. Access to a computer or device with internet connectivity.
  2. A web browser to visit the Merriam-Webster website.
  3. A word processing program to write down the citation (such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or a simple text editor).
  4. Basic understanding of APA citation style (this guide will help you learn).

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating a Merriam-Webster Citation

Step 1: Visit the Merriam-Webster Website

Action: Open your web browser and navigate to the Merriam-Webster website. You can do this by typing “https://www.merriam-webster.com” into the address bar and pressing Enter.

Verification: Once the website loads, ensure you can see the homepage with the search bar prominently displayed. This step should take about 1-2 minutes.

Step 2: Search for the Term You Need

Action: In the search bar on the Merriam-Webster homepage, type the word or term you want to cite. After typing the term, press Enter or click the search icon.

Verification: You should be directed to the definition page of the word you searched for. This page will contain the information you need for your citation. This step may take approximately 1-2 minutes, depending on your familiarity with the site.

Step 3: Find the Publication Date

Action: Look for the publication date of the definition. This information is usually located near the top of the page, close to the word's definition. Note down the full date as it appears, including the year, month, and day.

Verification: Ensure you have the correct format for the date, which should look like "Year, Month Day." For example, if the date is "2023, October 15," make sure you write it down exactly as shown. This step will take about 2 minutes.

Step 4: Write the Title of the Webpage

Action: The title of the webpage is typically the word or term you searched for. You can find this at the very top of the page. Write it down in italics, as per APA formatting guidelines.

Verification: Ensure that you have written the title correctly and in italics. For instance, if you searched for "abundance," your title should be Abundance. This step should take around 1 minute.

Step 5: Identify the Site Name

Action: The site name is Merriam-Webster. Write this down, as it will be part of your citation.

Verification: Make sure to spell "Merriam-Webster" correctly and capitalize it appropriately. This step can be completed in about 1 minute.

Step 6: Assemble Your Citation

Action: Now, you will begin to piece together all the information you have gathered. Follow the APA template:

Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of webpage. Site Name. URL

For a Merriam-Webster citation, the author is usually not explicitly listed, so you can use "Merriam-Webster, Inc." as the author. For example:

Merriam-Webster, Inc. (2023, October 15). Abundance. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abundance

Verification: Review each component of your citation to ensure it follows the correct format. Double-check the spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. This step may take about 3-5 minutes.

Step 7: Final Review

Action: Go through the complete citation you have created. Ensure every element is correct and formatted according to APA style. Pay attention to punctuation, italics, and the order of information.

Verification: Compare your citation to the APA citation guidelines to confirm accuracy. This final review should take around 2-3 minutes.

Step 8: Save and Use Your Citation

Action: Once you are satisfied with your citation, save your document in your word processing program. If you need to use this citation for a paper or project, you can copy and paste it into your work.

Verification: Ensure that the citation is properly saved and formatted in your document. This step will take about 1 minute.

Tips for Efficiency

  1. Use Bookmarking: If you plan on using Merriam-Webster frequently, consider bookmarking the website for easy access in the future.
  2. Practice: The more you practice creating citations, the quicker and more comfortable you will become with the process.
  3. Use Citation Tools: There are various online citation generators that can help you format citations correctly. However, always double-check their output against APA guidelines.

By following these steps, you will be able

Real Examples from Merriam-Webster

This section provides authentic citation examples from Merriam-Webster using recent publications from 2023-2024.

As an AI language model, I don't have direct access to external databases or websites, including Merriam-Webster, to retrieve real-time data or current articles from 2023-2024. However, I can guide you on how to create APA citations based on hypothetical content that you might find on such a website. Here's how you can approach it:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: An article by a linguist discussing new words added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 2023.

Reference List Citation:
Smith, J. (2023, March 15). New words in 2023: A linguistic perspective. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/new-words-2023

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Smith, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
Smith (2023) discusses the latest additions to the dictionary.

Notes: This example highlights a standard article by an individual author, typical for linguists or language experts contributing to Merriam-Webster.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: An official update from Merriam-Webster about changes in the dictionary's digital features.

Reference List Citation:
Merriam-Webster. (2023, June 20). Enhancements to our digital dictionary experience. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/digital-enhancements

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Merriam-Webster, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
According to Merriam-Webster (2023), the new digital features enhance user experience.

Notes: This example showcases a corporate author citation, common for official updates or announcements from organizations.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: A collaborative article by two authors exploring the etymology of trending words in 2023.

Reference List Citation:
Johnson, L., & Patel, R. (2023, September 10). Etymology of trending words in 2023. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/etymology-trending-2023

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Johnson & Patel, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
Johnson and Patel (2023) analyze the origins of popular words.

Notes: This example demonstrates how to cite a source with two authors, reflecting collaborative research or writing.

Example 4: Special Formatting Case

Scenario Description: A unique visual guide on pronunciation changes in regional dialects, featuring interactive content.

Reference List Citation:
Merriam-Webster. (2023, November 5). Pronunciation shifts in regional dialects: An interactive guide. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/pronunciation-guide

In-text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Merriam-Webster, 2023)

In-text Citation (Narrative):
The interactive guide by Merriam-Webster (2023) illustrates pronunciation changes.

Notes: This example is noteworthy for its interactive content, requiring special consideration for how such media is described in citations.

When creating citations for actual articles, ensure you gather the correct authorship and publication date details from the source itself. If the content type varies significantly, adapt the citation format to fit APA guidelines accurately.

Common Issues When Citing Merriam-Webster

Problem 1: Identifying Authors

Issue Description:
Students often struggle to identify the correct author for entries from Merriam-Webster, leading to incorrect citation.

Why It Happens:
Merriam-Webster entries typically do not list a specific author; instead, they are authored collectively by the editorial staff of Merriam-Webster. This lack of individual authorship is common for dictionary and encyclopedic sources, which can be confusing for students used to citing works with individual authors.

Solution:
When no individual author is listed, APA guidelines suggest using the name of the organization as the author.

  1. Identify the organization responsible for the content. In this case, it is Merriam-Webster.
  2. Use "Merriam-Webster" as the author in your citation.

Example:

Problem 2: Date Formats

Issue Description:
Students may incorrectly format the date of the entry when citing Merriam-Webster.

Why It Happens:
Merriam-Webster entries often include a last updated date, which can be mistaken for the publication date. Students may also encounter entries without a clearly visible date.

Solution:
Use the most recent date available on the page if a specific publication date is not provided. This is typically found at the bottom of the entry.

  1. Look for a "Last Updated" or "Accessed" date towards the bottom of the page.
  2. Format the date in APA as: (Year, Month Day).

Example:

Problem 3: URL Handling

Issue Description:
Incorrectly copying or formatting URLs is a common problem when students cite online sources like Merriam-Webster.

Why It Happens:
Students may include unnecessary URL parameters or fail to format URLs correctly, leading to broken links or unnecessarily long URLs in the reference list.

Solution:
Ensure that the URL is direct and free of session-specific or search query parameters.

  1. Copy the URL directly from the browser's address bar.
  2. Remove any extraneous characters after the main URL to ensure it is clean and direct.

Example:

Problem 4: Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Students may question whether to include access dates for online dictionary entries like those from Merriam-Webster.

Why It Happens:
APA 7th edition does not generally require access dates for stable content, but students may be unsure if this applies to frequently updated online content.

Solution:
For stable content like dictionary entries, an access date is not necessary unless the content is likely to change over time or is not archived.

  1. Determine if the entry is considered stable. For Merriam-Webster, assume stability unless indicated otherwise.
  2. Do not include an access date unless instructed by a specific guideline or professor's requirement.

Example:

By following these guidelines, students can effectively navigate the unique challenges of citing Merriam-Webster entries in accordance with APA 7th edition standards.

Note: For general Webpage citation errors, see How to Cite Webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Merriam-Webster

Q: How do I find citation information on the Merriam-Webster website for APA format?

A: Merriam-Webster's website typically does not provide a ready-made citation. To cite it in APA format, you need to identify the word or term, the definition title, the publication date (often "n.d." for no date), and the URL. Check the URL for the specific word entry for the most accurate source reference.

Q: How should I format the author for a Merriam-Webster dictionary entry in APA?

A: For Merriam-Webster entries, use the organization as the author. In your citation, list "Merriam-Webster" as the author since it is the entity responsible for the content.

Q: What should I do if the Merriam-Webster entry doesn't have a publication date?

A: If no publication date is provided, use "n.d." for "no date" in your citation. This is common for online dictionary entries and indicates that the publication date is unavailable.

Q: Do I need to include a retrieval date when citing Merriam-Webster in APA?

A: In APA 7th edition, you generally don't need to include a retrieval date unless the content is likely to change over time. Since dictionary definitions are stable, omit the retrieval date and simply include the URL.

Q: How does citing Merriam-Webster differ from citing other webpage sources in APA?

A: Citing Merriam-Webster primarily differs in using the organization as the author and often using "n.d." for the date. Unlike many webpages, dictionary entries are considered stable, so you don't need a retrieval date, and you should focus on the specific word entry URL for precision.

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