cite

verb

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\ 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 Trump responded positively on Sunday when Abe expressed his wish to go to Iran and hold talks with President Hassan Rouhani, the Yomiuri newspaper reported, citing unidentified people close to the Japanese government. — Washington Post, "Trump to Face Off With Japan’s Abe on Trade After Golf and Sumo," 18 Sep. 2019 Burillo and his current wife, Rose, whom he has been married to for about 20 years, have a pending divorce case in Marin County, the Marin Independent Journal reported, citing court files. — NBC News, "Wealthy developer arrested in death of son, 11, who fell off boat in San Francisco Bay," 17 Sep. 2019 Rogelio Alberto Guardado has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault of a family member causing serious bodily injury, The Houston Chronicle reported, citing Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. — Fox News, "Houston man gets 20 years for running over ex-girlfriend multiple times, prosecutors say," 17 Sep. 2019 The ruling cited the agencies’ refusal to consider removing the lower Snake River dams. — Jim Robbins, New York Times, "How Long Before These Salmon Are Gone? ‘Maybe 20 Years’," 16 Sep. 2019 The fashion retailer could also close some of its 700 stores, the Journal reported, citing unidentified people with knowledge of the plans. — Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY, "Forever 21 could file for bankruptcy protection as early as Sunday, report says," 11 Sep. 2019 WeWork is considering a valuation for its initial public offering that may be below $20 billion, Dow Jones reported, citing people familiar with the matter. — Fortune, "WeWork Considers Slashing Its IPO Valuation Below $20 Billion," 9 Sep. 2019 Publishers Weekly reported about the incident Wednesday, citing booksellers who contacted the publisher about it. — Kerry Flynn, CNN, "Amazon apologizes for shipping Margaret Atwood's new novel early," 5 Sep. 2019 Thirty-one percent of religious Democrats are white Christians, 22 percent are nonwhite Christians and 12 percent belong to other faiths, fivethirtyeight.com reported, citing data from Cooperative Congressional Election Study. — Chris Sikich, Indianapolis Star, "Here's how Pete Buttigieg plans to appeal to rural and religious voters," 26 Aug. 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

26 Oct 2019

Time Traveler for cite

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

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