Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense cites, present participle citing, past tense, past participle cited
1. verb
If you cite something, you quote it or mention it, especially as an example or proof of what you are saying.
[formal]
She cites a favourite poem by George Herbert. [VERB noun]
He cites just one example. [VERB noun]
I am merely citing his reaction as typical of British industry. [VERB noun + as]
Spain was cited as the most popular holiday destination. [beVERB-ed + as]
Synonyms: quote, name, evidence, advance More Synonyms of cite
2. verb
To cite a person means to officially name them in a legal case. To cite a reason or cause means to state it as the official reason for your case.
They cited Alex's refusal to return to the marital home. [VERB noun]
Three admirals and a top Navy civilian will be cited for failing to act on reportsof sexual assaults. [beV-ed for v-ing]
3. verb
If someone is cited, they are officially ordered to appear before a court.
[US, law]
The judge ruled a mistrial and cited the prosecutors for outrageous misconduct. [VERB noun]
regional note: in BRIT, use be summonsed
Synonyms: summon, call, subpoena More Synonyms of cite
cite in British English
(saɪt)
verb(transitive)
1.
to quote or refer to (a passage, book, or author) in substantiation as an authority, proof, or example
2.
to mention or commend (a soldier, etc) for outstanding bravery or meritorious action
3.
to summon to appear before a court of law
4.
to enumerate
he cited the king's virtues
Derived forms
citable (ˈcitable) or citeable (ˈciteable)
adjective
citer (ˈciter)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Old French citer to summon, from Latin citāre to rouse, from citus quick, from ciēre to excite
cite in American English
(saɪt)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈcited or ˈciting
1.
to summon to appear before a court of law
2.
to quote (a passage, book, speech, writer, etc.)
3.
to refer to or mention as by way of example, proof, or precedent
4. US
to mention in a citation (sense 5)
5. Archaic
to stir to action; arouse
noun
6. Informal
citation (sense 3)
Derived forms
citable (ˈcitable)
adjective or ˈciteable
Word origin
ME citen < OFr citer, to summon < L citare, to arouse, summon < ciere, to put into motion, rouse < IE base *kei- > Gr kinein, to move, OE hatan, to command
Examples of 'cite' in a sentence
cite
Will quit the show the next day citing personal reasons.
The Sun (2016)
One reason cited has been a reluctance to change from the average police officer.
Computing (2010)
He cites the example of a couple whose house in Kent is in a scenic hillside spot.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The Times report was cited as a reason for the movements.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The singer himself cited'personal reasons '.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Successive drafts of some chapters of this book have increasingly cited his work.
Forrest, Ray & Murie, Alan & Williams, Peter Home-ownership - differentiation and fragmentation (1990)
Some books are more cited than read.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They also asked them to cite the worst example of cheating they had witnessed.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The court cited their time spent in prison and a possible change in the charges against them.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
High fuel prices and airport charges were cited as reasons.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Both cite documentary proof of sovereignty.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
International conventions such as this one are increasingly cited in domestic court cases and the judges are taking them into account more readily.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Only 3 per cent of divorced men cited this reason.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It is indeed striking, but not just for the reasons generally cited.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In most cases, a lack of beds was cited as the reason for closures.
The Sun (2013)
He cites the reasons that his generation of soldiers failed to gain support and the effects of this failure on him and his peers.
Bachmann, Susan (editor) & Barth, Melinda Between Worlds: A Reader, Rhetoric and Handbook (1995)
If you can't afford it right now you can benefit from reading one of the books cited below.
Westcott, Patsy Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)
He cites the example of an assistant manager who decided to take care of his boss's exotic fish.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In both cases, the courts cited the 2005 regulation.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
If it takes action, the evidence would not stand up in court and anyone cited by name could reasonably be expected to contact their lawyers.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Maybe for reasons I just cited.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
So different as to be at odds with one another, these two books are often cited as two major works sitting in opposing schools of thought.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
Financial pressure was the most commonly cited reason, with 55 per cent saying this was largely behind the move.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The OED cites examples from Chaucer onwards.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
cite
British English: cite VERB
If you cite something, you quote it or mention it, especially as an example or proof of what you are saying.
She cited several examples of messages that had affected her.
American English: cite
Brazilian Portuguese: citar
Chinese: 引用
European Spanish: citar
French: citer
German: zitieren
Italian: citare
Japanese: 言及する
Korean: 인용하다
European Portuguese: citar
Latin American Spanish: citar
Chinese translation of 'cite'
cite
(saɪt)
vt
(= quote)[example]引用 (yǐnyòng)
(Law)[person]传(傳)讯(訊) (chuánxùn)
[fact]引证(證) (yǐnzhèng)
1 (verb)
Definition
to bring forward as proof
She cites a favourite poem by Pablo Neruda.
Synonyms
quote
Most newspapers quote the warning.
name
The Scots have yet to name their team.
evidence
advance
Many theories have been advanced as to why this is.
mention
She did not mention her mother's absence.
extract
material extracted from a range of texts
specify
He has not specified what action he would like them to take.
allude to
enumerate
She enumerated all the reasons why she wanted to travel for a year.
adduce
The evidence she adduced was authoritative.
2 (verb)
Definition
to summon to appear before a court of law
The judge ruled a mistrial and cited the prosecutors for gross misconduct.
Synonyms
summon
Howe summoned a doctor and hurried over.
call
The group promised to call a meeting of shareholders.
subpoena
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adduce
Definition
to mention something as evidence
The evidence she adduced was authoritative.
Synonyms
mention,
offer,
name,
present,
advance,
quote,
allege,
cite,
designate
in the sense of advance
Definition
to present an idea for consideration
Many theories have been advanced as to why this is.
Synonyms
suggest,
offer,
present,
propose,
allege,
cite,
advocate,
submit,
prescribe,
put forward,
proffer,
adduce,
offer as a suggestion
in the sense of call
The group promised to call a meeting of shareholders.