citation

noun ci·ta·tion \ sī-ˈtā-shən \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: citation in a Sentence

Definition of citation

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

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citational

play \-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

See citation defined for English-language learners

See citation defined for kids

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 of citation from the Web

Craig jokingly advised that the keys wouldn’t get them out of traffic citations.

— brian mccollum, Detroit Free Press, "The Jacksons get keys to the city ahead of Detroit fest performance," 16 June 2018
But Simon said an analysis of citations would be needed to show whether disparate enforcement is taking place.

— michael cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, "BART directors to evaluate program to crack down on fare cheats; delay expansion," 14 June 2018
Small agencies account for 80 percent of the citations the state water board issues every year.

— dale kasler, phillip reese and ryan sabalow, sacbee, "360,000 Californians have unsafe drinking water. Are you one of them?," 1 June 2018
In academic science, remuneration comes in the form of citations to published papers, promotions, and awards.

— brian keating, WIRED, "There's Nothing Noble about Science’s Nobel Prize Gender Gap," 27 May 2018
Thornton would be subject to a series of citations for improperly storing wood in his backyard, beginning on July 25, 2015.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "How the municipal court money machine burdens city residents," 24 May 2018
The Santa Monica Police Department did not have an exact figure for the number of citations that have been issued this year.

— tracey lien, latimes.com, "Bird's scooters have flooded the streets of major cities. But can the start-up control misbehaving riders?," 23 May 2018
Mouw, who served as the president of Fuller Theological Seminary for 20 years, disputes the claim that his column contained factual errors, and as proof, provided me with a list of citations for Falwell’s old remark.

— sarah jones, The New Republic, "Inside the Spectacular Implosion of Religion News Service," 27 Apr. 2018
Dozens of citations from the Houston Police Department piled up there and at other surrounding vacant buildings.

— craig hlavaty, Houston Chronicle, "One of downtown Houston's most reviled buildings up for sale again," 26 Apr. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of citation

see cite

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

citation Synonyms

Synonyms

accolade, commendation, dithyramb, encomium, eulogy, homage, hymn, paean, panegyric, salutation, tribute;

Near Antonyms

censure, condemnation, denunciation, indictment, rebuke, reprimand, reproof;

admonition, correction, harangue, lecture, sermon;

acclaim, acclamation, laudation;

applause, plaudit(s);

bravo, hallelujah, kudo;

approval, cachet, compliment, recommendation;

Synonym Discussion of 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

CITATION Defined for English Language Learners

citation

noun

Definition of citation for English Language Learners

: 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

CITATION Defined for Kids

citation

noun ci·ta·tion \ sī-ˈtā-shən \

Definition of citation for Students

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

Law Dictionary

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

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