1. people who write, compile, or contribute to encyclopedias
Usage: plural form; often refers to scholars and intellectuals
2. contributors to the Encyclopédie, the 18th-century French reference work associated with the Enlightenment
Usage: historical; capitalized when referring to the specific French project

Examples

• The encyclopedists of the 18th century worked to compile all human knowledge into a single reference.
• Diderot and d'Alembert were among the most famous encyclopedists of the Enlightenment.
• Modern encyclopedists use digital tools to organize and update information.
• The encyclopedists believed that education and accessible knowledge could improve society.
• Many encyclopedists collaborated with experts from different fields to ensure accuracy.
• The work of encyclopedists has evolved from printed volumes to online databases.