cite

verb

\ ˈsīt

cited; citing

Definition of cite

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 support his theory

Other Words from cite Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Cite, Sight, and Site More Example Sentences Learn More about cite

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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, 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.

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 on the Web

Adams, who retired from the city in 2017 and was elected to the council a year later, would not comment, citing the pending litigation. — Paulina Pineda, azcentral, "Former Tempe Public Works Director Don Bessler sues city for age discrimination," 17 July 2019 The Post-Reforma poll finds a scant 2 percent of Mexicans name immigration as their country’s most important problem, with a 55 percent majority citing insecurity and 9 percent each mentioning corruption and unemployment. — Scott Clement, Washington Post, "Unauthorized immigrants face public backlash in Mexico, survey finds," 17 July 2019 Over in Oakley, the Michigan Municipal League in 2014 canceled the village's insurance over liability concerns, citing issues with the reserve officers and litigation, according to news reports at the time. — Freep.com, "This top cop ripped apart a Michigan town," 17 July 2019 One Tennessee police department is urging residents not to flush drugs down the toilet, citing fears that wildlife might consume them and exhibit unnatural behaviors. — Kristin Lam, USA TODAY, "Methed-up gators and ducks and geese, oh my! Tennessee police warn against flushing drugs down the toilet," 15 July 2019 Male, 26, cited and released on suspicion of driving while a license is suspended or revoked, Pine and Cedar streets. — Ramona Sentinel, "Sheriff’s Reports: July 7-14," 15 July 2019 The company has struggled in recent months after the Trump administration placed a de facto ban on US sales to the company, citing potential security threats and amidst the ongoing US-Chinese trade war. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "Huawei will reportedly lay off hundreds of US workers," 14 July 2019 There was no cannabis cultivation at that time, but the property had previously been cited for code violations for unpermitted greenhouses, cargo containers and cannabis cultivation, officials said. — Bay City News Service, The Mercury News, "Sonoma County hash lab, illegal grow found by inspectors," 13 July 2019 An email obtained by The News shows the city manager asked him to resign; no reason was cited. — Miles Moffeit Elvia Limón, Dallas News, "Tax funds stolen by her husband helped a DeSoto councilwoman. Why didn't authorities fully investigate?," 12 July 2019

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.

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Last Updated

20 Jul 2019

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The first known use of cite was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for cite

cite

verb

English Language Learners Definition of cite

: 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

See the full definition for cite in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cite

verb

\ ˈsīt

cited; citing

Kids Definition of cite

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.

cite

transitive verb

\ ˈsīt

cited; citing

Legal Definition of cite

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