ENGLISH
REFERENCE

citation

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //saɪˈteɪʃən// UK //saɪtˈeɪʃən// ci·ta·tion
Definition

n. a formal mention of a book, article, or person that you used to find information. It shows where your facts came from so others can check them.

n. a formal reference to a published or unpublished source that supports a claim or provides evidence. Typically includes the author's name, the title of the work, and publication details.


SIMPLE

The student added a citation for every book she used.

CONTEXTUAL

The professor reminded the class that every direct quote requires a proper citation to avoid plagiarism.

COMPLEX

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.

Usage

Commonly used with the verbs 'provide', 'include', or 'omit'.

Last updated May 2, 2026