citation

American  

[sahy-tey-shuhn] / saɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. Military. mention of a soldier or a unit in orders, usually for gallantry.

   She received a presidential citation.

2. any award or commendation, as for outstanding service, hard work, or devotion to duty, especially a formal letter or statement recounting a person's achievements.

   Synonyms:

   kudos, reward, laurel, honor, award

3. a summons, especially to appear in court.

4. a document containing such a summons.

5. the act of citing or quoting a reference to an authority or a precedent.

6. a passage cited; quotation.

   Synonyms:

   quote, extract, passage, excerpt

7. Also a quotation showing a particular word or phrase in context.

8. Also mention or enumeration.

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citation British  

/ ˈsaɪtətərɪ, -trɪ, saɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the quoting of a book or author in support of a fact

2. a passage or source cited for this purpose

3. a listing or recounting, as of facts

4. an official commendation or award, esp for bravery or outstanding service, work, etc, usually in the form of a formal statement made in public

5. law

   1. an official summons to appear in court

   2. the document containing such a summons

6. law the quoting of decided cases to serve as guidance to a court

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• citational
  adjective
• precitation
  noun
• noncitation
  noun
• citatory
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of citation

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English citacio(u)n, from Late Latin citātiōn- (stem of citātiō ), equivalent to Latin citāt(us), past participle of citāre “to set in motion, call before a court” + -iōn- noun suffix; see origin at cite ¹ , -ion

Explanation

If you hear you’re getting a citation, wait before bragging about it. A citation can be an official award, but it can also mean something less thrilling, like a summons to appear in court. If you climb a tree and rescue a frightened cat, the mayor might present you with a citation for bravery. If you're hurrying to the ceremony and your mom speeds and gets a traffic citation, her insurance company might raise her premiums. Citation comes from the Latin citationem, which means “to call forward.” You can think of the mayor calling you forward to receive your plaque, or the judge calling your mom forward to receive her fine. A citation can also be a quote, like a passage in a newspaper article describing your cat-saving feat as "an act of heroism."

Example Sentences

Ms. Klein, a cultural reporter and critic in Philadelphia, has been a three-time finalist for the National Book Critics Circle’s Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

The submarine and its crew were later awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its service during the war.

From BBC • May 24, 2024

This year, Becca Rothfeld, the nonfiction book critic for The Washington Post and the author of a forthcoming debut essay collection, “All Things Are Too Small,” received the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2024

Boeing 737 and a Cessna Citation business jet in San Diego, the latest in a series of troubling U.S. aviation incidents.

From Reuters • Aug. 12, 2023

Citation of cases is confined for the most part to ruling or recent cases or those of historic importance or interest.

From Copyright: Its History and Its Law by Bowker, Richard Rogers

Related Words

• commendation
• summons