# citation

/saɪˈteɪʃən/ (US) · /saɪtˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/citation
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. award for achievement

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a formal statement or award that praises someone for doing something brave or special.

For teachers: a formal commendation or public statement of praise, especially for military service or distinguished achievement.

- The soldier received a citation for bravery after saving his teammates during the storm.
- The university president read a formal citation detailing the professor's forty years of groundbreaking research and service to the community.

### 3. legal summons

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

an official paper that tells you to go to court or pay a fine for a small crime.

For teachers: an official summons or notice issued by a court or law enforcement agency, often for minor offences like traffic violations.

- The police officer gave the driver a citation for speeding in a school zone.
- Failure to respond to the citation within thirty days may result in an automatic warrant for the individual's arrest.

## Examples

- The student added a citation for every book she used.
- The professor reminded the class that every direct quote requires a proper citation to avoid plagiarism.
- While the argument is compelling, the lack of a specific citation for the statistical data makes it difficult for peer reviewers to verify the author's primary claims.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.