> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://private-7c7dfe99-vortex-format.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> The Dictionary database engine exposes configured dictionaries as read-only tables.

# Dictionary

The `Dictionary` database engine exposes every configured [dictionary](/reference/statements/create/dictionary) as a read-only table. It is useful when a query needs to read or join dictionary data using ordinary table syntax.

<h2 id="creating-a-database">
  Creating a database
</h2>

```sql theme={null}
CREATE DATABASE dictionaries
ENGINE = Dictionary;
```

<h2 id="usage">
  Usage
</h2>

After creating the database, use a configured dictionary name as the table name:

```sql theme={null}
SELECT *
FROM dictionaries.products;
```

The database has no tables of its own. Its tables are the dictionaries configured on the server, so creating, dropping, or altering tables in the database is not supported. Manage the dictionaries themselves with [`CREATE DICTIONARY`](/reference/statements/create/dictionary) or the server configuration.

<h2 id="see-also">
  See also
</h2>

* [Dictionaries](/concepts/features/dictionaries/index)
* [`Dictionary` table engine](/reference/engines/table-engines/special/dictionary)