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

He was issued citations for both incidents and given a court date of October 12. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

The news organization then did a data analysis that involved reviewing thousands of citations issued by state regulators over the past decade. — Justin Price, AJC.com, 13 Oct. 2026

The city's share of outstanding citations is around $650,000. — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

The letter states that Streets and Sanitation has inspected the property multiple times over several years and issued multiple warnings and citations, and that the violations continued despite the fines being paid. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see cite

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for citation

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

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