citation in WordNet English dictionary

1. 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"
   citation  cite  acknowledgment  credit  reference  mention  quotation 
   
2. an official award (as for bravery or service) usually given as formal public statement
   citation  commendation 
   
3. a summons that commands the appearance of a party at a proceeding
   citation 
   
4. a passage or expression that is quoted or cited
   quotation  quote  citation 
   
5. (law) the act of citing (as of spoken words or written passages or legal precedents etc.)
   citation