ticket

UK: /ˈtɪkɪt/ US: /ˈtɪkɪt/ ,(tik′it)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

tick•et /ˈtɪkɪt/   n. [countable]

1. a slip of paper that shows the holder has paid a fare or admission or is entitled to some service:
   a train ticket.
2. a written summons that notifies the holder that he or she has broken some traffic law:
   his fifth ticket for speeding.
3. a tag attached to something to show its price, what is inside it, etc.
4. Government a list of candidates of a political party that are running together in an election:
   He wasn't included in the new Liberal Party ticket.
5. Informal Terms the proper or advisable thing:
   [usually singular* the + ~] Put it down gently—that's the ticket!

v. [~ + object]

6. to attach a ticket to;
   label.
7. to give a written summons to (someone) for breaking a traffic law or regulation:
   The cops ticketed anyone going five miles per hour over the speed limit.
8. to attach such a notice or summons to:
   to ticket illegally parked cars.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tick•et  (tik′it), n. 

1. a slip, usually of paper or cardboard, serving as evidence that the holder has paid a fare or admission or is entitled to some service, right, or the like:
   a railroad ticket; a theater ticket.
2. a summons issued for a traffic or parking violation.
3. a written or printed slip of paper, cardboard, etc., affixed to something to indicate its nature, price, or the like;
   label or tag.
4. Government a slate of candidates nominated by a particular party or faction and running together in an election.
5. the license of a ship's officer or of an aviation pilot.
6. Business [Banking.] a preliminary recording of transactions prior to their entry in more permanent books of account.
7. Informal Terms the proper or advisable thing:
   That's the ticket! Warm milk and toast is just the ticket for you.
8. [Archaic.] a placard.
9. [Obs.] a short note, notice, or memorandum.
10. British Terms have tickets on oneself, [Australian Slang.] to be conceited.

v.t. 

11. to attach a ticket to;
    distinguish by means of a ticket;
    label.
12. to furnish with a ticket, as on the railroad.
13. to serve with a summons for a traffic or parking violation.
14. to attach such a summons to:
    to ticket illegally parked cars.

• Middle French etiquet memorandum. See etiquette
• 1520–30; 1925–30 for def. 4; earlier tiket

tick′et•less, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ticket / ˈtɪkɪt/ noun

1. a piece of paper, cardboard, etc, showing that the holder is entitled to certain rights, such as travel on a train or bus, entry to a place of public entertainment, etc
2. (modifier) concerned with or relating to the issue, sale, or checking of tickets: a ticket office, ticket collector
3. a piece of card, cloth, etc, attached to an article showing information such as its price, size, or washing instructions
4. a summons served for a parking offence or violation of traffic regulations
5. the certificate of competence issued to a ship's captain or an aircraft pilot
6. the group of candidates nominated by one party in an election; slate
7. the declared policy of a political party at an election
8. a certificate of discharge from the armed forces
9. the right or appropriate thing: that's the ticket
10. have tickets on oneself, have got tickets on oneself ⇒ to be conceited

verb ( -ets, -eting, -eted)(transitive)

1. to issue or attach a ticket or tickets to

Etymology: 17th Century: from Old French etiquet, from estiquier to stick on, from Middle Dutch steken to stick²