citation

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noun ci·ta·tion \ sī-ˈtā-shən \

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

Officers were able to identify the suspect that same afternoon and he was taken into custody and issued a local ordinance citation for theft, police said.

— jennifer johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Park Ridge teen pretended to sell 'vaping machine,' stole $50, police say," 30 Aug. 2017
In 2013, Scott had also received a city citation for assault after shoving his mother several times.

— glenn e. rice, ian cummings, joe robertson and toriano porter, kansascity, "‘Kill all white people’: Suspect in killings of five white men made threat in 2014," 30 Aug. 2017
The teen, a Burbank resident, was arrested on suspicion of committing the robbery and was eventually released on a citation, according to Green.

— andy nguyen, Burbank Leader, "Woman robbed in Burbank chases after suspect and detains him," 24 Aug. 2017
Jalen Barbee-Tobin, 23, of Louisville was arrested around 2 a.m. and is accused of shooting a man in the chest during a verbal altercation, according to an arrest citation.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Police: Shooting on Bardstown Road in the Highlands stemmed from 'name calling'," 22 Aug. 2017
The junior from Miami faced internal discipline for a marijuana citation in May that resulted in him pleading no contest to possession of drug paraphernalia.

— ethan bauer, miamiherald, "Florida loses Antonio Callaway, six others to suspensions for season opener," 13 Aug. 2017
The U.S. Forest Service issued the two a citation, reported the McDowell News.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "Father and son from Maryland rescued from “unstable” ledge at Linville Falls," 4 Aug. 2017
Court records show no other cases against Walker except for speeding citations.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Suspect killed in home invasion was mentally ill; wrongly believed slain attorney was involved in drug case," 18 July 2017
No citations have been issued and the investigation is ongoing.

— ruth brown, idahostatesman, "Motorized bicyclist in critical condition after crash with vehicle," 18 July 2017

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

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

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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

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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

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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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