What does citing mean?
"Citing" is the present participle and gerund form of the verb "cite," which means to quote, mention, or refer to a person, book, article, or other source as evidence, support, or justification for one's statements. In academic writing, journalism, law, and scholarship generally, citing is essential practice: it credits original authors, strengthens arguments, and allows readers to verify claims. The word also carries official senses, as when an organization cites an employee for bravery or a court cites a driver for speeding. Derived from Latin citare, meaning to summon or call upon, it entered English through French and has long been tied to formal acts of reference. Common collocations include "citing sources" and "citing evidence." Because it sounds identical to "siting" and "sighting," writers must rely on context to distinguish them. Mastery of citing signals rigor, honesty, and respect for intellectual property in any field.
verbThe present participle of "cite": to quote or refer to a passage, source, or authority as evidence or justification; also, to mention someone officially, especially as deserving praise or punishment.
- Quoting or referring to a source, text, or authority in support of an argument
- Mentioning something as an example or reason
- Officially naming someone or something, e.g., for commendation or legal penalty
"The judge fined the company for citing outdated safety regulations in its report."
"She wrote a compelling essay, carefully citing each study she referenced."
"The city council rejected the proposal, citing concerns about traffic congestion."
Every time you footnote an essay, you're doing what Roman lawyers did — "cite" comes from Latin citare, meaning to summon or rouse, originally used for calling people into court!
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of citing
The verb "cite" comes from Latin "citare," meaning to summon, urge, or call upon, formed from the frequentative of "ciere," to set in motion or arouse. It entered Middle English via Old French "citer" around the fourteenth century, first carrying senses of calling forth or summoning, later extending to referencing authorities and texts. Cognates sharing this root include "recite," "incite," "excite," and "resuscitate," all built on the same Latin base.
Related word forms
How citing is actually used
Formal to neutral register; common in academic, journalistic, and legal contexts where attribution matters. Often appears before a reason introduced by "citing" + noun phrase (e.g., citing cost, citing safety).
Easily confused with citing
"Citing" means quoting or referring to a source, while "siting" (from "site") means choosing a location for something such as a building.
"Citing" refers to quoting a source, whereas "sighting" is the act of catching sight of something, like a rare bird or a comet.