cite

play

verb \ˈsīt\

Definition of cite

cited

;

citing

transitive verb
1 : to call upon officially or authoritatively to appear (as before a court)
2 : to quote by way of example, authority, or proof cites several noteworthy authors
3a : to refer to; especially : to mention formally in commendation or praise She was cited for bravery.b : to name in a citation cited by the trustees for his work in public health
4 : to bring forward or call to another's attention especially as an example, proof, or precedent cited the weather as a reason for canceling the picnic cited several studies that suppport his theory

citable

play \ˈsī-tə-bəl\ adjective

See cite defined for English-language learners

See cite defined for kids

Examples of cite in a Sentence

The article cites several experts on the subject.
The museum had often been cited as an example of successful fund-raising.
He cited evidence suggesting she was in the area when the crime was committed.
She was cited for reckless driving.

Recent Examples of cite from the Web

More than 20 women spoke, The Guardian reports, citing catcalling and being dismissed by male superiors among several pervasive issues.

— madison malone kircher, The Cut, "Female Tesla Employee Calls Factory a ‘Predator Zone’", 6 July 2017
Legally, the administration justified its delay by citing a pending legal challenge to the rule from a California association of for-profit colleges.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "18 States Sue Betsy DeVos for Refusing to Enforce Student-Loan Protections", 6 July 2017
States have different rules regarding what information can be made public, and many states have agreed to provide some information, but not other data, citing those restrictions.

— geoff mulvihill, The Seattle Times, "Kobach complains about reports on voting commission", 5 July 2017
Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz, who is expected to raise interest rates next week, has been citing the synchronized nature of global growth as a major positive for the recovery.

— enda curran, Bloomberg.com, "Global Trade Rebounds Despite Trump’s Protectionist Threats", 5 July 2017
Before the year started, some village officials were wanting to see the bridge be replaced, citing recent reports from inspectors with the Illinois Department of Transportation who have called the bridge design obsolete.

— ronnie wachter, chicagotribune.com, "Covered bridge in Long Grove recommended for National Register of Historic Places", 5 July 2017
This month, C.M.S. expelled the Hagerstown nursing home from Medicare and Medicaid after citing it for more violations.

— jordan rau, New York Times, "Poor Patient Care at Many Nursing Homes Despite Stricter Oversight", 5 July 2017
There are two main health issues usually cited when talking about aluminum fears: Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer.

— emma sarran webster, Teen Vogue, "Deodorant Aluminum: What You Should Know", 5 July 2017
In Feb. 2017, the couple is off again with reports citing Chyna’s intolerance towards Kardashian’s insecurities and depression as the main reason for the split.

— ruth kinane, EW.com, "Keeping up with the craziness: A timeline of Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna's relationship", 5 July 2017

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

cite, sight, and site

The three homophones cite, sight, and site are occasionally confused by some people when used as nouns (sight and site) or as verbs (all three words). They needn’t cause trouble: with a little thought, most people who struggle with them can settle upon the correct choice.

Cite is most often encountered in the sense of “to name in a citation”; it may also mean “to mention as an example” or “to order to appear in a court of law.“

Most of the senses of sight are concerned with the act or action of seeing. A wonderful spectacle might be described as a sight, as might the general capacity to see anything (“my sight is not as good as it once was”).

Site is most often concerned with location; it is related to the verb situate "to locate" and situation "a position." A building site is the place where the building is, or will be, located. In contemporary English, site has increasingly been used as a shortened form of website, for the location of a specific page on the Internet.

If you connect citation with cite, eyesight with sight, and situate with site, you are unlikely to make an error.

Origin and Etymology of cite

Middle English, from Anglo-French citer to cite, summon, from Latin citare to put in motion, rouse, summon, from frequentative of ciēre to stir, move — more at -kinesis

NEW!

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of cite

summon, call, cite, convoke, convene, muster mean to demand the presence of. summon implies the exercise of authority. was summoned to answer charges call may be used less formally for summon . called the legislature into special session cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge. cited for drunken driving convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes. convoked a Vatican council convene is somewhat less formal than convoke . convened the students muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole. mustered the troops

CITE Defined for English Language Learners

cite

play

verb

Definition of cite for English Language Learners

: to write or say the words of (a book, author, etc.)
: to mention (something) especially as an example or to support an idea or opinion
law : to order (someone) to appear before a court of law

CITE Defined for Kids

cite

play

verb \ˈsīt\

Definition of cite for Students

cited

;

citing

1 : to order to appear in court She was cited for reckless driving.
2 : to quote as an example, authority, or proof He cites several experts in his report.
3 : to refer to especially in praise The school was cited as a model for others.

Law Dictionary

cite

play

transitive verb \ˈsīt\

Legal Definition of cite

cited

citing

1 : to demand the appearance of in court : serve with a citation had been cited for contempt you are hereby cited to show cause in the Probate Court
2 : to quote or refer to as a precedent or authority the plaintiff cites several cases for the proposition