What does ticket mean?
A ticket is a small document, card, or electronic authorization that allows someone to travel, enter a place, or receive a service. Buying a bus, train, or plane ticket is one familiar use, while the word can also denote a fixed charge or an official notice, such as a parking ticket or speeding ticket. In legal and administrative contexts, a ticket may be a written summons requiring a person to appear before a court or other authority. In North American political language, an election ticket is a list of candidates running together. The verb means to issue a ticket to someone or, less commonly, to label an item. Although the word now suggests travel or enforcement, it originally referred more generally to a written label or note. Its range of meanings makes it especially useful: the same object may grant permission, record an offence, request a formal response, or identify a group of candidates.
A document, card, or electronic authorization giving its holder the right to travel, enter a place, or receive a service; also an official notice, citation, or summons.
"The library requires a ticket before you can borrow a book."
The election sense, meaning a list of candidates, is chiefly used in North America.
To issue a ticket or citation to someone; more formally, to label an item or summon someone to appear before an authority.
"The clerk ticketed each parcel with a price label."
The sense of issuing an official ticket is more common than the older senses involving labeling or court summonses.
Relating to a ticket or tickets, or serving as a ticket.
"Ticket prices increased before the holiday."
This use is typically attributive, as in ticket office, ticket price, and ticket holder.
The standard plural of the noun is tickets.
"Tickets to the concert sold out quickly."
A ticket can be a travel pass, a traffic citation, or a ballot—one small word carrying three very different kinds of authority.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ticket
The English word entered use in the 16th century from French ticket, meaning a label or written note. Its French history includes Middle French tikket and Old French tiquet, associated with tique, an older word for a mark or label; the ultimate origin of that form is uncertain. Over time, the English noun developed meanings beyond a mere label, including an authorization to travel, an official citation, and a summons, while its later political sense refers to a list of candidates.
Related word forms
How ticket is actually used
The word is neutral in register and widely used in both British and American English. The political sense meaning a list of election candidates is chiefly North American. The older senses involving labeling, issuing a formal ticket, or serving a summons are less common in everyday speech.
Easily confused with ticket
A ticket authorizes entry, travel, or participation, whereas a ticker displays changing information or may refer to a device that makes a clicking sound.