The Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia (KBBI), translated as the Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language, is the official and authoritative dictionary of the Indonesian language. It is compiled and maintained by the Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa (Language Development and Fostering Agency), which operates under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia.
The first edition of the KBBI was published in 1988, coinciding with the fifth Indonesian Language Congress (Kongres Bahasa Indonesia V). The dictionary was developed to provide a standardized reference for Indonesian vocabulary, grammar, and usage. It serves as the primary benchmark for formal and standard Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia Baku).
The KBBI has undergone several revisions to reflect the evolution of the language, incorporating new loanwords, technical terminology, and regional expressions. Notable editions include:
- First Edition (1988)
- Second Edition (1991)
- Third Edition (2001)
- Fourth Edition (2008)
- Fifth Edition (2016), which introduced a significant digital presence through a dedicated web portal and mobile application.
- Sixth Edition (2023), launched to further expand the lexicon and accessibility.
The dictionary provides definitions, phonetic pronunciations, word classes (such as nouns, verbs, or adjectives), and example sentences. Since the release of the fifth edition, the KBBI has transitioned toward a "living dictionary" model, where updates are made more frequently in its digital format to keep pace with contemporary linguistic shifts. It remains the most comprehensive lexicographical work for the Indonesian language.
