How to Quote a Definition in an Essay
To quote a definition in an essay, put the defined wording in quotation marks, name the source in a signal phrase, and cite the dictionary or reference work you took it from. Cite the specific entry, not just “the dictionary” — the word you looked up is the title of the entry. In MLA the in-text citation is the entry word in quotation marks; in APA it is the publisher and year. Leading with “Webster’s defines X as…” is a weak opening, so use a definition to clarify a term you will actually analyze, not to pad an introduction.
How to Quote a Dictionary Definition
Quote the exact words of the definition and mark them.
Example: The word candid is defined as “marked by honest sincere expression.”
Name the reference source in your sentence when it matters (“Merriam-Webster defines candid as…”) or put it in the citation. Quote only the sense of the word you are using — dictionaries list several definitions, so pull the relevant one rather than the whole entry.
Citing a Definition in MLA
In MLA, the entry word is the “title” of the source, so it goes in quotation marks in the in-text citation.
In-text: (“Candid”).
Works Cited: “Candid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, 2024, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/candid.
If the dictionary is a print edition, cite the edition and year instead of the URL: “Candid.” Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th ed., 2003.
Citing a Definition in APA
APA treats a dictionary entry as a work with a group author when the publisher and dictionary share a name.
In-text: (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).
References: Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Candid. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved March 3, 2024, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/candid.
APA uses “n.d.” (no date) for online dictionaries that update continuously, and includes a retrieval date because the entry can change.
When Quoting a Definition Actually Helps
A quoted definition earns its place when the term is contested, technical, or central to your argument — when the precise wording matters. It does not help as a generic opener for a common word everyone already understands. If you are only establishing a working meaning, it is often cleaner to paraphrase the definition and cite it, rather than quote it. Reserve the direct quotation for when the source’s exact phrasing is the point.
Quoting a Definition From a Textbook or Encyclopedia
Not every definition comes from a dictionary. When a textbook or encyclopedia defines a term, cite it like the book or article it is, with an author and page number rather than an entry word.
Textbook, MLA in-text: The text defines osmosis as “the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane” (Campbell 132).
Encyclopedia entry, MLA Works Cited: “Osmosis.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2023.
The difference from a dictionary is the locator: a textbook uses a page number because it is paginated, while a dictionary or online encyclopedia uses the entry word because it is not. Match the citation to how the source is organized. For the general rules on when a page number is required, see how to cite a quote.
Quote a Better Source Than a Dictionary
For an academic term, a definition from a scholar or a field-specific reference usually carries more weight than a general dictionary. Quoting how a named researcher defines “attachment” or “sovereignty” gives you a source you can engage with, not just a baseline meaning. Introduce and cite it the same way you would any other quote — see how to introduce a quote and how to cite a quote.
FAQ
How do you quote a definition in an essay?
Put the definition’s exact words in quotation marks, name the reference source, and cite the specific entry. In MLA the entry word is the citation; in APA use the publisher and “n.d.”
How do you cite a dictionary definition in MLA?
List the entry word in quotation marks as the title: “Candid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, 2024, followed by the URL. The in-text citation is (“Candid”).
Is it good to start an essay with a dictionary definition?
Usually not. Opening with “The dictionary defines X as…” is a weak, overused move. Quote a definition only when the exact wording is central to your argument.
Do you need a page number for a dictionary definition?
No, because entries are alphabetical, not paginated. The entry word itself locates the source. Online dictionaries use a retrieval date in APA instead.