cite
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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to quote (a passage, book, author, etc.), especially as an authority.
He cited the Constitution in his defense.
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to mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.
He cited many instances of abuse of power.
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to summon officially or authoritatively to appear in court.
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to call to mind; recall.
citing my gratitude to him.
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Military. to mention (a soldier, unit, etc.) in orders, as for gallantry.
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to commend, as for outstanding service, hard work, or devotion to duty.
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to summon or call; rouse to action.
noun
verb
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to quote or refer to (a passage, book, or author) in substantiation as an authority, proof, or example
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to mention or commend (a soldier, etc) for outstanding bravery or meritorious action
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to summon to appear before a court of law
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to enumerate
he cited the king's virtues
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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noncitableadjective
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uncitableadjective
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citeableadjective
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nonciteableadjective
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citernoun
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unciteableadjective
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citableadjective
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uncitedadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have citedperfect
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has citedperfect 3rd person singular
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are citingprogressive
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am citingprogressive 1st person singular
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is citingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been citingperfect progressive
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citingparticiple
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has been citingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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citessingular 3rd person
Past
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had citedperfect
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had been citingperfect progressive
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citedparticiple
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was citingprogressive singular
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were citingprogressive plural
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citedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of cite1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin citāre “to hurry, set in motion, summon before a court,” frequentative of ciēre “to move, set in motion”
Origin of cite2
An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; by shortening
Explanation
To cite something means to do right by whoever said it and give them credit — for instance, if you add a brilliant statement to a paper but you’re not the one who originally wrote it, you should cite, or point to, the original author. Using cite with the meaning "to reference" or "to note" is just one of several similar uses. A military or other official report can cite someone for an outstanding act of service, and a legal representative can cite individuals, or summon them, to show up in court. To cite a source when writing or verbally repeating something first spoken by someone else is to give a "citation" or "notation" that gives credit where credit is due.
Vocabulary lists containing cite
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 2
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They cite the banking boom, strength in trading, and growth in the firm’s alternative-asset platform and a strong position in ultrahigh-net-worth wealth management.
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
And more than 42% cite mental health problems as their primary condition, up from less than a quarter in 2011, the report says.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
Reports cite a range of complicated factors for the restraint, from apathy to technology-induced incapacity.
From Salon • May 28, 2026
Forecasters cite the examples of Hurricane Betsy in 1965 and Hurricane Andrew in 1992, both devastating storms which occurred during below-average seasons.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
In particular, archaeologists often cite considerably older claimed dates for domesticated plants at Coxcatlan Cave in Mexico, at Guitarrero Cave in Peru, and at some other American sites than the dates given in the table.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
