The Macquarie Dictionary is the result of many years of effort by lexicographers at Macquarie University in Sydney to produce a descriptive work of Australian English.

The first edition of the Macquarie Dictionary was published in 1981; the Second in 1991 and the Third in 1997. In 1986 Macquarie University set up the Dictionary Research Centre "to foster lexical and lexicographic research and to advance and support the Macquarie dictionaries in close co-operation with The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd, publishers" (Macquarie Dictionary 3rd Edition).

The dictionary is formed with the work of experts in many fields, and takes into account Australian literature, new and regional words, Aboriginal English and South-East Asian influence.

A guide on pronunciation is provided as is on spelling and grammar and regional usage.

Macquarie Library also publishes a thesaurus, arranged alphabetically.