How is a Dictionary Organized?

A dictionary tells you the meaning of words and how to say them.

Words in a dictionary are arranged in alphabetical order. The guide words at the top of the page name the first and last words on the page.

Example:
Stream [strem] n. 1. a body of running water, such as a small river. 2. A steady flow. A stream of people walked past the shop. -v. streamed, streaming, streams. To flow in a stream

Each word defined in a dictionary is called an entry word. The entry word is printed in dark type.

Stream [strem] n. 1. a body of running water, such as a small river. 2. A steady flow. A stream of people walked past the shop. -v. streamed, streaming, streams. To flow in a stream


A special spelling of the word comes right after the entry. This special spelling shows the word’s pronunciation, or how to say it aloud.

Stream [strem] n. 1. a body of running water, such as a small river. 2. A steady flow. A stream of people walked past the shop. -v. streamed, streaming, streams. To flow in a stream


The letter or letters after the pronunciation tell the part of speech. Most dictionaries use abbreviations.

Stream [strem] n. 1. a body of running water, such as a small river. 2. A steady flow. A stream of people walked past the shop. -v. streamed, streaming, streams. To flow in a stream

The definition tells the meaning of the word. When a word has more than one meaning, the definitions are numbered.

Stream [strem] n. 1. a body of running water, such as a small river. 2. A steady flow. A stream of people walked past the shop. -v. streamed, streaming, streams. To flow in a stream

Some dictionaries show the inflected forms of the word.

Stream [strem] n. 1. a body of running water, such as a small river. 2. A steady flow. A stream of people walked past the shop. -v. streamed, streaming, streams. To flow in a stream

Some definitions have an example sentence that shows how the word is used.

Stream [strem] n. 1. a body of running water, such as a small river. 2. A steady flow. A stream of people walked past the shop. -v. streamed, streaming, streams. To flow in a stream

CALL NUMBERS

Remember, a call number is like the book’s address in the library. It tells where the book lives on the library shelf.
Our library has three kinds of books, so we have three kinds of call numbers:

fiction

easy fiction

non fiction

A fiction call number is made up of two parts:

F (for fiction)
first three letters in the author’s last name

So a fiction call number for the author, Beverly Cleary would look like this:

F
Cle

An easy fiction call number is made up of two parts:

E (for easy fiction)
first three letters in the author’s last name

So an easy fiction call number for the author, Jan Brett would look like this:

E

Bre

How do we put fiction and easy fiction call numbers in order?
Think……How can we put letters in order?

That’s right, fiction and easy fiction call numbers are in ABC order.

Nonfiction call numbers are made up of two parts:

Numbers (for the subject)

first three letters in the author’s last name

So a nonfiction call number for a mammal book by Jane Mosley would look like this:

599

Mos

How do we put nonfiction call numbers in order?

Think...nonfiction call numbers have numbers and letters, so..

Nonfiction call numbers are put in number order first, then in ABC order.

One kind of nonfiction book has a different recipe from the rest.

biography

What is a biography?
A book about the life of a famous person.

Biography call numbers have their own special recipe.

Biography call numbers are made up of two parts.

92 (the number for biography)
first three letters of the famous person’s last name

So the call number for a biography about George Washington would look like this:

92
Was

How are biography call numbers put in order?

Since all biography call numbers have a 92, they are put in ABC order.