How to read a dictionary

1. How to read a dictionary At Lilburn Elementary Lisa Campbell, Media Specialist

2. Entry Word lighthouse light·housePronunciation: 'lIt-"hausFunction: noun1: a structure (as a tower) with a powerful light that gives a continuous or intermittent signal to navigators 2: Beacon

3. The word is broken intosyllables by a dot. lighthouse light·housePronunciation: 'lIt-"hausFunction: noun1: a structure (as a tower) with a powerful light that gives a continuous or intermittent signal to navigators 2: Beacon

4. Pronunciation lighthouse light·housePronunciation: 'lIt-"hausFunction: noun1: a structure (as a tower) with a powerful light that gives a continuous or intermittent signal to navigators 2: Beacon

5. Part of speechnoun (n.), verb (v.), adjective (adj.),or adverb (adv.) is added. lighthouse • light·housePronunciation: 'lIt-"hausFunction: noun1: a structure (as a tower) with a powerful light that gives a continuous or intermittent signal to navigators 2: Beacon

6. Definition • This is the main part of the entry. There may be several definitions of the word. lighthouse • light·housePronunciation: 'lIt-"hausFunction: noun1 : a structure (as a tower) with a powerful light that gives a continuous or intermittent signal to navigators 2 : Beacon

7. Record: 1. information that is written down. 2. A description of performance or achievements. 3. The best athletic performance known. 4. A disk played on a phonograph • Which definition from the dictionary entry above BEST fits the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence below? • My reading teacher keeps a record of the grades in the grade book. • definition 1 • definition 2 • definition 3 • definition 4

8. Reentry (ree en’ TREE) n. 1. the act of returning. 2. the act of taking back land when an agreement has not been carried out. 3. the act of coming back into Earth’s atmosphere. 4. a kind of play made during the card game of bridge. • Which dictionary meaning above fits the way that reentry is used in the sentence below? It blew up during reentry. • definition 1 • definition 2 • definition 3 • definition 4

9. Gal ax yn. 1. Milky Way Galaxy, the solar system that includes the Sun and Earth. 2. Independent collections of stars, gas, and dust throughout the universe. 3. A group of brilliant, notable persons. 4. A group of brilliant or notable things. • Which definition from the dictionary entry above BEST fits the meaning of the word galaxy in the sentence below? • Hop aboard a ship and sail to another galaxy. • definition 1 • definition 2 • definition 3 • definition 4

10. Force (fors) n. 1. Military power 2. A group of people taking part in an activity 3. To break open 4. Power of strength • Which definition from the dictionary entry above BEST fits the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence below? • The force of light is gentle, giving solar sails a slow start. • definition 1 • definition 2 • definition 3 • definition 4

11. mis sionn. 1. a special job or task 2. an organization that carries on religious or humanitarian work 3. a combat operation 4. a person’s calling to life • Which definition from the dictionary entry above BEST fits the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence below? • Around 2010, a solar-powered craft called the Interstellar Probe is scheduled to launch the first mission planned beyond our solar system. • definition 1 • definition 2 • definition 3 • definition 4

12. al lo cate (al-‘o cate) v. 1. determine the share a person is to receive • Based on the dictionary entry above, which piece of information is found after the number 1? • the definition • the pronunciation • the part of speech • the word divided into syllables

13. Guide Words • At the top of each page, there are two words called Guide words. Guide words tell you the first and last words on a page. • Which page would you find frame? fizz? • fitflag frail free

14. Practice Using Guide Words • Which page would curl be on? • crunch cry curfew cushion Now go to Dino Hunter and practice the guide word game!