citation

noun ci·ta·tion \ sī-ˈtā-shən \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

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

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, said the change will make sure officers and law enforcement agencies, not photo radar companies, are issuing citations.

— andrew nicla, azcentral, "Arizona Gov. Ducey signs bills on embryos, substitute teachers, driver's licenses and more," 3 Apr. 2018
In Cano’s case, the citations could have easily ballooned up to thousands a day.

— gustavo solis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "It's been 5 years and National City councilman still hasn't corrected code violations," 2 Apr. 2018
The citation notes it will be dismissed with proof of yearly pass.

— samantha swindler, OregonLive.com, "Latina elected offical arrested after TriMet fare dispute, name confusion," 19 Mar. 2018
The 1978 citation appears to be a reference to a banking institution called Morrill Bancshares, based in Sabetha, Kan.

— rick rothacker, charlotteobserver, "The story behind a small-town Kansas firm entangled in the Rick Siskey Ponzi case | Charlotte Observer," 12 Mar. 2018
Kennedy, however, planned it as a robbery attempt, the citation said.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville police arrest suspect 7 months after a man was killed in Walmart parking lot," 8 Mar. 2018
The citations announced Monday apply only to the Thai Town restaurant, not its Redondo Beach Pier or Sacramento outposts.

— julie walmsley, Los Angeles Magazine, "An East Hollywood Restaurant Got Busted Paying Servers as Little as $25 a Day," 27 Feb. 2018
The citations are misdemeanors, which could result in fines of up to $500 or jail terms of as long as 90 days, although a jail stay is probably not likely.

— eric d. lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "QLINE: 17 people ticketed for fare skipping last week," 27 Feb. 2018
This citation is not indicative of the day-to-day care and operations of our center.

— courant.com, "State Fines Six Nursing Homes," 8 Feb. 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

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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