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

Some women cited savings and affordability, while others called the metro the safest mode of transportation. — Niha Masih, Washington Post, "Can a new plan change New Delhi’s reputation as the world’s worst city for women?," 3 July 2019 In her essay, Hayes cited Harris’ experience as a young child who was bused as part of an effort to desegregate public schools. — Daniela Altimari, courant.com, "Rep. Jahana Hayes endorses Kamala Harris for president," 3 July 2019 In its initial court filing, Accelevate cited an ongoing petition drive launched by a political action committee that is seeking to limit how much city contractors and vendors can contribute to municipal candidates. — Jasper Scherer, Houston Chronicle, "TRO bars Houston from enforcing petition drive residency rule," 3 July 2019 Supporters of the bill cited health studies, including one by the Center for Disease Control that said obesity affected about 93.3 million of U.S. adults in 2016. — Patrick Mcgreevy, latimes.com, "How ‘Big Soda’ used its clout to stop 5 of 5 California laws to regulate sugary drinks," 3 July 2019 In a series of interviews and emails, Mr. Dell’Aquila cited numerous concerns. — Danny Hakim, New York Times, "N.R.A. Donor Directs a Revolt Against a ‘Radioactive’ Leader," 2 July 2019 After a second inspection, FDA cited other serious transgressions. — Charles Piller, Science | AAAS, "Exclusive: FDA enforcement actions plummet under Trump," 2 July 2019 On Twitter, McCarter cited his experience with coal in his home state as evidence that the energy source would work well in Kenya. — Justin Worland, Time, "The Trump Administration Protested When Kenya Halted a Coal-Fired Power Plant," 2 July 2019 John Martin, assistant administrator at the DEA, cited statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2017. — Clare Hymes, CBS News, "DOJ pushes Congress to permanently close loophole for knock-off fentanyl," 2 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

6 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