# cites

/ˈsaɪts/ (US) · /sˈaɪts/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cites
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to mention a source

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic · Formal

to mention a book, a person, or a report as a way to prove that what you are saying is true.

For teachers: to quote or refer to a passage, book, or author as evidence for an argument. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- The student cites several famous scientists in her essay to support her ideas.
- In his latest publication, the researcher cites over fifty peer-reviewed articles to establish a firm foundation for his controversial hypothesis.

Usage: Commonly used in the third-person singular ('cites') when discussing an author's work.

### 2. to give a reason

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to give something as a reason or an example for why something happened.

For teachers: to bring forward or adduce as a reason, example, or proof in support of a claim.

- The report cites bad weather as the main cause of the accident.
- The CEO cites the sudden shift in global market trends as the primary justification for the company's recent restructuring.

Usage: Often used in news reporting and formal business contexts.

## Examples

- She cites several studies to prove her point.
- The report cites a lack of funding as the primary reason for the project's failure.
- In his final dissertation, the student cites over fifty primary sources to establish a comprehensive historical timeline of the event.

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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.