Citation vs. Ticket — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 30, 2023
A "Citation" often refers to a formal summons or reference, while a "Ticket" usually denotes a physical pass or a notice of violation. Both can indicate a penalty.
Difference Between Citation and Ticket
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Citation and Ticket are terms with distinct meanings, but in certain contexts, especially law enforcement, they can overlap. A Citation typically refers to a formal reference or summons, often indicating a violation of rules or laws. In contrast, a Ticket commonly denotes a physical pass granting permission to enter, travel, or participate in an event.
In academic and literary contexts, a Citation refers to a reference acknowledging the source of information. However, a Ticket in such contexts would be out of place. On the streets, if a police officer issues a Citation, it's usually in response to a violation, similar to receiving a Ticket for a parking or speeding offense.
The word Citation carries with it a sense of officialdom and can be used in various situations, from awards to references in scholarly articles. Ticket, while also official in many situations, leans more towards daily, practical applications, like boarding a train or attending a concert.
Regardless of the context, both Citation and Ticket can imply penalties or repercussions. For instance, a Citation for not wearing a seatbelt and a Ticket for parking in a no-parking zone both come with fines.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A formal summons or reference
A physical pass or a notice of violation
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Common Usage
Legal summons, academic reference
Admission pass, penalty notice
Connotation
Formality, officialdom
Practicality, everyday use
Contextual Variance
Can indicate award, reference, or violation
Usually denotes permission or violation
Grammatical Usage
Often used as a noun
Commonly used as a noun, occasionally as a verb
Compare with Definitions
Citation
An official call to appear before a court.
The officer issued a citation for the offense.
Ticket
A list of candidates for election.
The party announced their ticket for the upcoming election.
Citation
A legal notice for violating a rule.
The driver got a citation for speeding.
Ticket
A paper slip or card indicating that its holder has paid for or is entitled to a specified service, right, or consideration
A theater ticket.
An airline ticket.
Citation
An act of citing or quoting.
The author's citation of the research was accurate.
Ticket
An e-ticket.
Citation
A citation is a reference to a source. More precisely, a citation is an abbreviated alphanumeric expression embedded in the body of an intellectual work that denotes an entry in the bibliographic references section of the work for the purpose of acknowledging the relevance of the works of others to the topic of discussion at the spot where the citation appears.
Ticket
A certifying document, especially a captain's or pilot's license.
Citation
The act of citing.
Ticket
An identifying or descriptive tag attached to merchandise; a label.
Citation
A quotation of or explicit reference to a source for substantiation, as in a scholarly paper.
Ticket
A list of candidates proposed or endorsed by a political party; a slate.
Citation
(Law) A reference to a previous court decision or other authority for a point of law, usually by case title and other information.
Ticket
A legal notice to a person charged with a violation of law, especially a minor violation.
Citation
An official commendation for meritorious action, especially in military service
A citation for bravery.
Ticket
The proper or desirable thing
A change of scene would be just the ticket for us.
Citation
A formal statement of the accomplishments of one being honored with an academic degree.
Ticket
(Informal) A means to an end
"He went to Washington ... to become press secretary ... it was his ticket out of the Delta" (Nicholas Lamann).
Citation
An official summons, especially one calling for appearance in court.
Ticket
To provide with a ticket for passage or admission
Ticket all passengers through to Amsterdam.
Citation
An official summons or notice given to a person to appear.
Ticket
To attach a ticket to; tag
Items that are ticketed in a pawnshop window.
Citation
The paper containing such summons or notice.
Ticket
To designate for a specified use or end; destine
Funds that have been ticketed for research.
Citation
The act of citing a passage from a text, or from another person, using the exact words of the original text or speech and giving credit to the original by referencing.
Ticket
To serve (a person) with a notice of legal violation
Ticket a speeding motorist.
Citation
An entry in a list of sources from which information was taken, typically following a prescribed bibliographical style; a reference.
Ticket
A pass entitling the holder to admission to a show, concert, etc.
Citation
The passage or words quoted; a quotation.
Ticket
A pass entitling the holder to board a train, a bus, a plane, or other means of transportation
Citation
(lexicography) A quotation with attached bibliographical details demonstrating the use of a particular lexical item in a dictionary, especially a dictionary on historical principles.
Ticket
A citation for a traffic violation.
Citation
Enumeration; mention.
It's a simple citation of facts.
Ticket
A permit to operate a machine on a construction site.
Citation
A reference to decided cases, or books of authority, to prove a point in law.
Ticket
A service request, used to track complaints or requests that an issue be handled. (Generally technical support related).
Citation
A commendation in recognition of some achievement, or a formal statement of an achievement.
Ticket
(informal) A list of candidates for an election, or a particular theme to a candidate's manifesto.
Joe has joined the party's ticket for the county elections.
Joe will be running on an anti-crime ticket.
Citation
An official summons or notice given to a person to appear; the paper containing such summons or notice.
Ticket
A solution to a problem; something that is needed.
That's the ticket.
I saw my first bike as my ticket to freedom.
Citation
The act of citing a passage from a book, or from another person, in his own words; also, the passage or words quoted; quotation.
This horse load of citations and fathers.
Ticket
(dated) A little note or notice.
Citation
Enumeration; mention; as, a citation of facts.
Ticket
(dated) A tradesman's bill or account (hence the phrase on ticket and eventually on tick).
Citation
A reference to decided cases, or books of authority, to prove a point in law.
Ticket
A label affixed to goods to show their price or description.
Citation
An official award (as for bravery or service) usually given as formal public statement
Ticket
A certificate or token of a share in a lottery or other scheme for distributing money, goods, etc.
Citation
(law) the act of citing (as of spoken words or written passages or legal precedents etc.)
Ticket
(dated) A visiting card.
Citation
A short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage;
The student's essay failed to list several important citations
The acknowledgments are usually printed at the front of a book
The article includes mention of similar clinical cases
Ticket
A warrant.
Citation
A passage or expression that is quoted or cited
Ticket
A certificate of qualification as a ship's master, pilot, or other crew member.
Citation
A summons that commands the appearance of a party at a proceeding
Ticket
To issue someone a ticket, as for travel or for a violation of a local or traffic law.
Citation
Thoroughbred that won the triple crown in 1948
Ticket
To mark with a ticket.
To ticket goods in a retail store
Citation
A reference to a source of information.
She added a citation at the end of her essay.
Ticket
A small piece of paper, cardboard, or the like, serving as a notice, certificate, or distinguishing token of something.
Citation
A formal acknowledgment or summons.
He received a citation for his bravery.
Ticket
A little note or notice.
He constantly read his lectures twice a week for above forty years, giving notice of the time to his auditors in a ticket on the school doors.
Ticket
A tradesman's bill or account.
Your courtier is mad to take up silks and velvetsOn ticket for his mistress.
Ticket
A certificate or token of right of admission to a place of assembly, or of passage in a public conveyance; as, a theater ticket; a railroad or steamboat ticket.
Ticket
A label to show the character or price of goods.
Ticket
A certificate or token of a share in a lottery or other scheme for distributing money, goods, or the like.
Ticket
A printed list of candidates to be voted for at an election; a set of nominations by one party for election; a ballot.
The old ticket forever! We have it by thirty-four votes.
Ticket
To distinguish by a ticket; to put a ticket on; as, to ticket goods.
Ticket
To furnish with a tickets; to book; as, to ticket passengers to California.
Ticket
A commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on public transportation or to enter a public entertainment)
Ticket
A summons issued to an offender (especially to someone who violates a traffic regulation)
Ticket
A list of candidates nominated by a political party to run for election to public offices
Ticket
The appropriate or desirable thing;
This car could be just the ticket for a small family
Ticket
Issue a ticket or a fine to as a penalty;
I was fined for parking on the wrong side of the street
Move your car or else you will be ticketed!
Ticket
Provide with a ticket for passage or admission;
Ticketed passengers can board now
Ticket
A piece of paper granting certain rights or access.
She purchased a ticket to the concert.
Ticket
A notice for a rules or laws violation.
He received a parking ticket.
Ticket
A solution or means to achieve something.
Education is the ticket to success.
Ticket
To issue a penalty notice.
The officer ticketed the car for being in a no-parking zone.
Common Curiosities
Can "Citation" and "Ticket" mean the same thing?
In the context of law violations, they can both indicate a penalty or fine.
Is "Citation" commonly used in academic writing?
Yes, it refers to referencing sources.
Can you get a "Ticket" at a concert?
Yes, a "Ticket" can grant you access to events like concerts.
Can "Ticket" be used as a verb?
Yes, as in "The officer ticketed the illegally parked car."
Which word is more formal, "Citation" or "Ticket"?
"Citation" generally has a more formal connotation.
In what scenario might you receive both a "Citation" and a "Ticket"?
For a traffic violation, where both terms can mean a penalty notice.
What's the primary use of a "Ticket"?
Granting permission, as in access to transport or events.
Is a "Citation" always related to violations?
No, it can also refer to academic references or awards.
Is a "Citation" always a physical paper?
No, it can also be a digital reference or mention.
Can a "Citation" be positive?
Yes, it can be an acknowledgment of commendable actions.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
