cite
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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cites,
present (3rd person singular)
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cited,
past participle, past
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citing
present participle
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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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citernoun
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citableadjective
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citeableadjective
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noncitableadjective
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nonciteableadjective
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uncitableadjective
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unciteableadjective
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uncitedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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citesimple
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citessimple
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have citedperfect
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has citedperfect
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am citingprogressive
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are citingprogressive
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is citingprogressive
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have been citingperfect progressive
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has been citingperfect progressive
Past
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citedsimple
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had citedperfect
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was citingprogressive
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were citingprogressive
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had been citingperfect progressive
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.
See Examples For:
Experts cite speeding and cellphone distractions as two of the biggest problems.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026
The Zume patents could help Miso Robotics expand Flippy's capabilities, suggests Hull, though he does not cite any specific example.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
Some analysts and investors cite the explosion of bond issuance—from AI hyperscalers such as Amazon.com and Alphabet—which they say has crowded out investment in Treasurys.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
In the organization’s surveys, about 70 percent of parents cite experiencing financial strain, with little relief in sight.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2026
I shall cite only the region of Greece as an example: the Romans kept the Achaeans and the Aetolians in check; they put down the Kingdom of Macedon; Antiochus was driven out.
From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli
The complaint cites three separate advertising products at issue: Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands and Sponsored Display.
From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026
Spohn cites “Game of Thrones,” “Lord of the Rings,” “Dungeons & Dragons,” “Star Wars” and even “The Parent Trap” as some of the more popular cultural inspirations for newbies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
To make her point, she cites studies that have found that while autistic people overall are more likely to take their own lives, these rates are highest in autistic people without learning disabilities.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
Its February letter cites reports that other boycotts have wiped billions of dollars from Target’s market value.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
His request is not accepted, although he cites his poor health, and he serves until the end of the war.
From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara
He cited the reorganization of baby-care brand Pigeon’s overseas businesses as an example of his firm’s involvement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
Aid Worker Security Database, whose figures have been cited by the UN and UK government, told BBC Verify it has recorded 22 aid workers killed in Gaza since 10 October 2025.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
The most commonly cited scapegoats are the social insurance programs Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026
US candidates in at least 21 races across 18 states have aired television advertisements mentioning data centers this cycle, according to marketing data cited by US media, almost evenly divided between both parties.
From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026
They also cited the Clayton Antitrust Act, passed in 1914, which ensured the rights of citizens and union members to strike, boycott, and picket.
From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling
Morgan raises its 2027 and 2028 earnings estimates for MediaTek and lifts its June 2027 price target to NT$5,600 from NT$5,300, citing stronger long-term growth prospects and operating leverage from the company’s custom AI-chip business.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
As a musical theater student, Violet was most stoked to see Chappell Roan’s operatic rock show — “we really need a ‘Femininomenon,’” she said, citing Roan’s hit song from 2022, which combines “feminine” and “phenomenon.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026
Sweden also summoned the Russian ambassador in Stockholm over the incident, its Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a news conference, citing its allegiance to Germany and Ukraine.
From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026
Players have been asking for a greater share of the revenue made by the event organisers, citing issues like late-night start times, lack of recovery time, increases in media duties, and pension contributions.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026
But a small group known as the Hollywood Ten refused to answer questions, citing the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which grants citizens the freedom of speech and association.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
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.
