citation
noun
ci·ta·tion
sī-ˈtā-shən 
1
: an official summons to appear (as before a court)
2
3
: mention: such as
a
: a formal statement of the achievements of a person receiving an academic honor
b
: specific reference in a military dispatch to meritorious performance of duty
a citation for bravery
Synonyms
Examples of citation in a Sentence
He was issued a citation.
He received a citation for reckless driving.
gave her a citation for bravery
Recent Examples on the Web
With the aim of promoting safety among youth, as many as 100,000 Minnesota children will receive a ‘citation’ for a free small DQ cone if spotted wearing a helmet while biking, scootering, skateboarding or in-line skating.
—
Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
By the end of the night, Jordan would be jailed, charged with cocaine possession and resisting arrest and received a citation for driving under the influence.
—Cristobal Reyes, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
Deputies issued 272 citations related to homelessness in 2022.
—Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 3 Feb. 2025
The Philadelphia Police Department issued thirty-one citations for disorderly conduct and failure to disperse during the celebrations, and two individuals were arrested for assaulting officers.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for citation 
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Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
By the end of the night, Jordan would be jailed, charged with cocaine possession and resisting arrest and received a citation for driving under the influence.
—Cristobal Reyes, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
Deputies issued 272 citations related to homelessness in 2022.
—Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 3 Feb. 2025
The Philadelphia Police Department issued thirty-one citations for disorderly conduct and failure to disperse during the celebrations, and two individuals were arrested for assaulting officers.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for citation
Articles Related to citation
Dictionary Entries Near citation
Cite this Entry
“Citation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citation. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
citation
noun
ci·ta·tion
sī-ˈtā-shən
1
: an official order to appear (as before a court)
2
a
: an act or instance of quoting
3
: a formal statement of what a person did to be chosen to receive an award
Legal Definition
citation
noun
ci·ta·tion
sī-ˈtā-shən
1
: a writ giving notice to a person to appear in court: as
a
: a process served upon an interested party in a probate proceeding
b
: a notice to a person that he or she is charged with a petty offense (as a traffic violation)
also
: the document embodying the notice
Note: Citations are issued in minor criminal cases as an alternative to arrest. Often a person may consent in writing to the penalty specified on the citation and forgo an appearance in court.
2
: the citing of a previously decided case or recognized legal authority as support for an argument
also
: the caption used for referring to such a case or authority especially as published in a reporter
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