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:
When analysts cite monthly changes, they are almost always citing seasonally adjusted figures.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
Many companies similarly cite security to explain why executives fly private for personal trips.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
They cite a lack of research, that nearly no other countries have approved use of these products, and their concerns about how the peptides are made, including the degradation and concentration of active ingredients.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
The park service doesn’t cite a source for such claims.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
“And, if I might cite the American Library Association’s code of ethics...”
From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein
The Chosen Ones Espenson cites are part of a destiny ordained either by their bloodline or some greater lineage.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
The report cites lower household savings, the inflation-based erosion of pension values, a lack of economic confidence that’s reducing property values and “a culture which is hostile to wealth-creators,” among other factors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
Tamny cites the example of Loudoun County, Va., where data centers account for just 3% of total land in the county, but for 36% of total taxes collected.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
Elliot cites stories of people "quitting their jobs" to invest in items like Pokémon trading cards.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 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
And sure enough, that scholarship came to the court, and the court cited it, and most of it has been debunked and disproven, but it’s the law anyway.
From Slate ● Aug. 16, 2026
Section 301 has also opened the door to new country-specific tariffs targeted at Brazil, at 25%, while Section 338 was cited to slap an extra 50% import tax on certain Canadian goods.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2026
The suit cited another exchange when the two covered a press event for a movie release.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Earlier research cited by the researchers found that spending just a few minutes climbing stairs several times each week can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and reduce cholesterol levels.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026
Oft cited on this subject of attention is William James, a philosopher and physician at the end of the nineteenth century, and the brother of novelist Henry James.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
Meanwhile in the Philippines, authorities have again shut schools and government offices are again shut in most of the country's north, citing the threat of floods.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
At least one resident has sued the company in connection with the incident, citing costs for air purifiers and utilities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
To offset the impact of declining unit sales, Lenovo will raise average selling prices, optimize premium product mix and focus on gaining market share, the analysts say, citing management.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
“I have both Democrat and Republican friends,” he said, citing his experience as a general manager of a talk radio station that aired diverse views.
From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026
That August, nearly a year after buying the houses, Greenberg’s lawyer asked the city to extend his client's deadline for making repairs, citing insufficient manpower to get the job done.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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.
