citation

Everyday

1. A line of words quoted from a book, speech or writer (a quotation). tree →
2. A reference that tells the reader exactly where information came from (author, title, page, website). tree →
3. An official written statement praising someone, for example for bravery. tree →
4. (law, US) An official order to appear in court or a ticket for breaking a rule, such as a parking ticket. tree →

In the lessons

In school writing and projects, giving a citation shows where your facts came from, so you are honest and not copying. Soldiers, firefighters and police may get a citation for bravery. In the USA a driver can get a «traffic citation». It tells the reader where words came from or that someone has been officially named.

Examples

• Every fact in your project needs a citation. tree →
• The essay began with a citation from Martin Luther King Jr. tree →
• The firefighter received a citation for bravery. tree →
• The police officer gave the driver a citation for speeding. tree →
• The citation listed the author, the year and the page. tree →
• Copying without a citation is called plagiarism. tree →
• Scientists count how many citations their papers get. tree →

Note

Countable: a citation, citations. Verb: «cite» (to quote or mention a source). Homophone trap: «cite» sounds like «site» (a place, a website) and «sight» (seeing).