cite

UK: /ˈsaɪt/ US: /saɪt/ ,(sīt)

Inflections of 'cite' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

cites

v 3rd person singular

citing

v pres p

cited

v past

cited

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

cite¹ /saɪt/   v. [~ + object] , cit•ed, cit•ing. 

1. to quote (a book, author, etc.), esp. as an authority:
   He cited Einstein's work as proof of this theory.
2. to mention in support or argument;
   refer to as an example:
   He cited instances of abuse in the nursing home.
3. to summon to appear in court:
   He was cited for contempt of court.
4. Military to mention (a soldier, etc.) in official dispatches, as for gallantry:
   He was cited for bravery in Korea.
5. to praise, as for outstanding service or devotion to duty:
   He was cited for his aid to the flood victims.

cite² /saɪt/   n. 

1. citation (def. 1).

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cite¹  (sīt), v.t., cit•ed, cit•ing. 

1. to quote (a passage, book, author, etc.), esp. as an authority:
   He cited the Constitution in his defense.
2. to mention in support, proof, or confirmation;
   refer to as an example:
   He cited
   many instances of abuse of power.
3. to summon officially or authoritatively to appear in court.
4. to call to mind;
   recall:
   citing my gratitude to him.
5. Military to mention (a soldier, unit, etc.) in orders, as for gallantry.
6. to commend, as for outstanding service, hard work, or devotion to duty.
7. to summon or call;
   rouse to action.

• Late Latin citāre to summon before a church court; in Latin, to hurry, set in motion, summon before a court, frequentative of ciēre to move, set in motion
• late Middle English 1400–50

cit′a•ble, cite′a•ble, adj. 
cit′er, n. 

cite²  (sīt), n. 

1. citation (defs. 7, 8).

• by shortening

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cite / 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

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French citer to summon, from Latin citāre to rouse, from citus quick, from ciēre to excite

ˈcitable, ˈciteable adjective