encyclopedia: a basic encyclopedia dealing with broad information. 2. a collection of articles or essays on various topics: an academic anthology or journal. 3. a tool used for education or training: a student using a book of knowledge. 4. a guide to help find information or an answer: a user of a book of knowledge will find the index helpful as he looks up terms in the dictionary. 5. a comprehensive list or register of names: a list of everyone who has ever attended Mill Valley High School. 6. a reference work containing an exhaustive list of subjects: a book of knowledge. 7. a collection of questions commonly asked by employers during job interviews: a book of knowledge can be used to prepare for these interviews. 8. a collection of poems or other pieces forming a section or part: a book of knowledge (science) of animals. 9. a collection of stories about the same person or people: a book of knowledge (history) of Rome.