citation

noun

ci·ta·tion | \ sī-ˈtā-shən

Definition of citation

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

2a : 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

Other Words from citation Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about citation

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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

Owens was released with a criminal citation and is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Brattleboro on Sept. 17. — BostonGlobe.com, "New England news in brief," 1 Sep. 2019 Upon the occasion of her 100th birthday Nancy was presented with citations from both the Connecticut General Assembly and the Secretary of State at the Connecticut Capitol Building with her family in attendance. — courant.com, "Nancy S. Tatano," 22 Aug. 2019 Each was hit with a $204 citation for riding a moped/cycle on the freeway, Fox 6 reported. — Fox News, "Texan men caught riding dockless scooters down Milkwaukee freeway following GPS instructions," 22 Aug. 2019 The suspect was also charged with a traffic citation. — cleveland.com, "Man dragging drunken woman just trying to get her home: Middleburg Heights Police Blotter," 9 Aug. 2019 West now has to deal with a citation issued at the end of July ordering him to present plans for approval, or tear the huts down, the sites said. — Los Angeles Times, "Kanye West’s ‘Star Wars’ domes for homeless hit a snag in Calabasas," 9 Aug. 2019 High school history classes, the college instructors said, weren’t pushing students to write analytical papers with scholarly citations. — Jay Mathews, Washington Post, "So what if high schools don’t align with colleges?," 8 Apr. 2018 The letter advised that Kollab had 30 days to request a hearing related to the citation. — Ginger Christ, cleveland.com, "Former Cleveland Clinic resident who made anti-Semitic comments online could lose her training certificate," 27 Aug. 2019 Broscheit also received a local ordinance citation for possession of cannabis, police said. — Deborah Kadin, chicagotribune.com, "Franklin Park, Northlake police: Driver left car running at gas station, woman hopped in, drove it away," 26 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'citation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

13 Sep 2019

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Time Traveler for citation

The first known use of citation was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for citation

citation

noun

English Language Learners Definition of citation

US : an official order to appear before a court of law

: a formal public statement that praises a person for doing something good or brave

: a line or short section taken from a piece of writing or a speech

See the full definition for citation in the English Language Learners Dictionary

citation

noun

ci·ta·tion | \ sī-ˈtā-shən

Kids Definition of citation

1 : an official order to appear in court

2 : an act or instance of quoting

3 : quotation

4 : a formal public statement praising a person for doing something good a citation for bravery

citation

noun

ci·ta·tion | \ sī-ˈtā-shən

Legal Definition of citation

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