ensiklopedia

An ensiklopedia, or encyclopedia, is a reference work that collects and summarizes knowledge on a wide range of subjects or on a specific field. It presents articles written to inform readers with concise, verifiable information, often accompanied by illustrations, maps, timelines, and bibliographic references. Articles are usually organized for easy lookup, commonly in alphabetical or thematic order, and they may include cross-references to related topics.

The term derives from the Greek enkyklios paideia, meaning a general or comprehensive education. The modern encyclopedia emerged in Europe during the early modern period as scholars sought to organize human knowledge systematically. Notable milestones include the 18th-century datasets like Chambers' Cyclopaedia, Encyclopædia Britannica, and the French Encyclopédie edited by Diderot and d'Alembert, each contributing to standards of article quality, scope, and citation.

Encyclopedias typically vary in scope and format. General encyclopedias aim to cover a broad range of topics, while specialized ones focus on particular disciplines such as science, medicine, or law. Content is produced by editors and contributors who are associated with or reviewed by experts; updates and revisions are common to reflect new information. In addition to traditional print editions, many encyclopedias exist in digital form, enabling rapid updates and broader accessibility.

The digital era has transformed how people use encyclopedias. Online and open-access projects, including crowd-sourced models, offer vast and up-to-date information but require critical evaluation of reliability and bias. In Indonesian contexts, the term ensiklopedia is used similarly to refer to both traditional and contemporary reference works, including online resources, that aim to compile comprehensive knowledge for readers and researchers.