name
Common
Wikipedia
wih-kih-PEE-deer
Wikipedia (name) means a free, multilingual online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, run by the Wikimedia Foundation. Example: “She checked Wikipedia for a quick summary of the treaty.”
name
1
A free, multilingual online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, run by the Wikimedia Foundation.
"He joined Wikipedia two years ago."
"She checked Wikipedia for a quick summary of the treaty."
verb
1
To look something up on Wikipedia.
"Just wikipedia the actor's name if you can't remember it."
"A little Wikipediaing could've told him that—sometimes it feels like I'm the only one willing to do the research."
— Michael Burrows, Where the Line Breaks (2021)
How to use Wikipedia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe well-known free online encyclopedia anyone can edit; informally, to search it for information.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Wikipedias
- Third person singular
- Wikipedias
- Past tense
- Wikipediaed
Fill the gap
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She checked _____ for a quick summary of the treaty.
Etymology
A blend of "wiki" (a collaboratively editable site) and "encyclopedia," coined by Larry Sanger in 2001.
Rhymes for Wikipedia
See all rhymes for Wikipedia →Frequently asked questions
What does “Wikipedia” mean?
The word “Wikipedia” means a free, multilingual online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, run by the Wikimedia Foundation. In plain terms, the well-known free online encyclopedia anyone can edit; informally, to search it for information.
How do you pronounce “Wikipedia”?
“Wikipedia” is pronounced wih-kih-PEE-deer (/ˌwɪ.kiˈpidi.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Wikipedia” in a sentence?
Here is “Wikipedia” used in a sentence: “She checked Wikipedia for a quick summary of the treaty.”
What part of speech is “Wikipedia”?
Depending on how it is used, “Wikipedia” can be a name and a verb.
Where does the word “Wikipedia” come from?
The word “Wikipedia” dates back to around 2001. A blend of "wiki" (a collaboratively editable site) and "encyclopedia," coined by Larry Sanger in 2001.
Is “Wikipedia” a common word?
“Wikipedia” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Wikipedia” have?
“Wikipedia” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a free, multilingual online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, run by the Wikimedia Foundation.
What is the difference between Wikipedia and a traditional encyclopedia?
Wikipedia is a free, multilingual online encyclopedia that anyone can edit and that is continuously updated by volunteers. A traditional encyclopedia is usually written by paid experts and published in fixed print or digital editions.
Who runs Wikipedia?
Wikipedia is run by the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization. Its actual articles, however, are written and edited by volunteers around the world.
Can anyone edit Wikipedia?
Yes. Wikipedia is built so that anyone can edit its articles, and this open model is how its content is created and updated. Some pages are protected from editing to reduce vandalism.
Is Wikipedia a reliable source?
Because Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, its accuracy can vary, so it is best treated as a starting point rather than a final authority. Many articles cite sources you can check, and those original sources are often better to reference directly.
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