citation

noun

ci·​ta·​tion sī-ˈtā-shən 

1

: an official summons to appear (as before a court)

2

a

: an act of quoting

especially : the citing of a previously settled case at law

b

: excerpt, quotation

His homily included several biblical citations.

3

: mention: such as

a

: a formal statement of the achievements of a person receiving an academic honor

b

: specific reference in a military dispatch to meritorious performance of duty

a citation for bravery

citational

sī-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of citation

• tribute
• commendation
• award
• accolade

Choose the Right Synonym for citation

encomium, eulogy, panegyric, tribute, citation mean a formal expression of praise.

encomium implies enthusiasm and warmth in praising a person or a thing.

received encomiums from literary critics

eulogy applies to a prepared speech or writing extolling the virtues and services of a person.

delivered the eulogy at the funeral service

panegyric suggests an elaborate often poetic compliment.

her lyrical memoir was a panegyric to her mentor

tribute implies deeply felt praise conveyed either through words or through a significant act.

the concert was a musical tribute to the early jazz masters

citation applies to the formal praise of a person offered in a military dispatch or in awarding an honorary degree.

earned a citation for bravery

Examples of citation in a Sentence

He was issued a citation.

He received a citation for reckless driving.

gave her a citation for bravery

Recent Examples on the Web

The audit pointed out the school system is at risk of losing out on nearly $10 million in fine revenue because more than 40,000 uncontested violations were never converted to citations within the court system. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2026

Police have conducted more than 400 traffic stops and issued nearly 370 traffic citations since the CTT started on January 18. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026

About 40 municipalities and the Cook County sheriff’s office have taken e-citation up, and the office expects to add another 20 by the end of March. —A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026

Starting over Hand questioned the validity of her citation for camping. —Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see cite

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for citation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• collation
• conflation

Kids Definition

citation

noun

ci·​ta·​tion sī-ˈtā-shən 

1

: an official order to appear (as before a court)

2

a

: an act or instance of quoting

b

: quotation sense 1

3

: a formal statement of what a person did to be chosen to receive an award

Legal Definition

citation

noun

ci·​ta·​tion sī-ˈtā-shən 

1

: a writ giving notice to a person to appear in court: as

a

: a process served upon an interested party in a probate proceeding

b

: a notice to a person that he or she is charged with a petty offense (as a traffic violation)

also : the document embodying the notice

Note: Citations are issued in minor criminal cases as an alternative to arrest. Often a person may consent in writing to the penalty specified on the citation and forgo an appearance in court.

2

: the citing of a previously decided case or recognized legal authority as support for an argument

also : the caption used for referring to such a case or authority especially as published in a reporter

citational

-shə-nəl 

adjective