ticket

[tik-it]

noun

1. a slip, usually of paper or cardboard, serving as evidence that the holder has paid a fare or admission or is entitled to some service, right, or the like.

   a railroad ticket; a theater ticket.

2. a summons issued for a traffic or parking violation.

3. a written or printed slip of paper, cardboard, etc., affixed to something to indicate its nature, price, or the like; label or tag.

4. a slate of candidates nominated by a particular party or faction and running together in an election.

5. the license of a ship's officer or of an aviation pilot.

6. Banking.,  a preliminary recording of transactions prior to their entry in more permanent books of account.

7. Informal.,  the proper or advisable thing.

   That's the ticket! Warm milk and toast is just the ticket for you.

8. Archaic.,  a placard.

9. Obsolete.,  a short note, notice, or memorandum.

verb (used with object)

1. to attach a ticket to; distinguish by means of a ticket; label.

2. to furnish with a ticket, as on the railroad.

3. to serve with a summons for a traffic or parking violation.

4. to attach such a summons to.

   to ticket illegally parked cars.

ticket

/ ˈtɪkɪt /

noun

1. 1. a piece of paper, cardboard, etc, showing that the holder is entitled to certain rights, such as travel on a train or bus, entry to a place of public entertainment, etc

   2. (modifier) concerned with or relating to the issue, sale, or checking of tickets

      a ticket office

      ticket collector

2. a piece of card, cloth, etc, attached to an article showing information such as its price, size, or washing instructions

3. a summons served for a parking offence or violation of traffic regulations

4. informal,  the certificate of competence issued to a ship's captain or an aircraft pilot

5. the group of candidates nominated by one party in an election; slate

6. the declared policy of a political party at an election

7. informal,  a certificate of discharge from the armed forces

8. informal,  the right or appropriate thing

   that's the ticket

9. informal,  to be conceited

verb

1. to issue or attach a ticket or tickets to

2. informal,  to earmark for a particular purpose

Other Word Forms

• ticketing noun
• ticketless adjective
• reticket verb (used with object)
• unticketed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ticket¹

1520–30; 1925–30 ticket for def. 4; earlier tiket < Middle French etiquet memorandum. See etiquette

Word History and Origins

Origin of ticket¹

C17: from Old French etiquet, from estiquier to stick on, from Middle Dutch steken to _stick ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. have tickets on oneself, to be conceited.

see just the ticket; meal ticket; split ticket; straight ticket; write one's own ticket.

Example Sentences

Presale tickets for the first date went on sale this morning, with presale tickets for the second date beginning at 15:00 BST.

Read more on BBC

These are the factors driving up ticket prices to the global soccer tournament, which experts note is “not for your typical fan”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Dodgers put tickets on sale Tuesday for potential World Series games at Dodger Stadium later this month, with the cheapest seat available for $881.95.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Or if you are a traveler who pays up for the airline’s priciest tickets, new extra-legroom seats or priority boarding.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Portugal were on the brink of punching their ticket as they led Hungary 2-1 in stoppage time in Lisbon, knowing a win would confirm first place in Group F.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• admission 
• card 
• certificate 
• check 
• coupon 
• document 
• license 
• paper 
• passport 
• permit 
• receipt 
• record 
• sticker 
• voucher