What does "quotation" mean?
A fragment of a human expression that is repeated by somebody else, for example from literature or a famous speech.
Quotation
/kwoʊˈteɪʃn̩/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A fragment of a human expression that is repeated by somebody else, for example from literature or a famous speech.
- Grammar: quotation is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: quote, acknowledgment, allusion, asking price.
- Useful contrasts: final price, invoiced amount, no quotation marks.
- Usage evidence: The following passage is a quotation from a well-known fable.
How to use "quotation"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "quotation" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "quotation" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "quotation" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "quotation" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "quotation" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "quote" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "quotation", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A fragment of a human expression that is repeated by somebody else, for example from literature or a famous speech. countable
""Where they burn books, they will also burn people" is a famous quotation from Heinrich Heine."
- 2 the practice of quoting from books or plays etc. wordnet
- 3 The act of quoting someone or something. uncountable
"One of these preachers was a blacksmith, whose iron constitution had entirely given way, and the little strength that remained he exhausted in endless quotation of texts from the Bible."
- 4 a passage or expression that is quoted or cited wordnet
- 5 A price that has been quoted for buying or selling. countable
"Let's get a quotation for repairing the roof before we decide whether it's worth doing."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 a statement of the current market price of a security or commodity wordnet
- 7 The act of setting a price. uncountable
- 8 a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage wordnet
- 9 A quota, a share. countable, obsolete
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
final priceinvoiced amountno quotation marksobscure quotation
Example
"The following passage is a quotation from a well-known fable."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "quotation"?
Common synonyms include: quote, acknowledgment, allusion, asking price, bargain price, bearish prices.
How do you use "quotation" in a sentence?
The following passage is a quotation from a well-known fable.
How do you pronounce "quotation"?
Pronounced /kwoʊˈteɪʃn̩/.
Etymology
The obsolete sense of “quota”, from Medieval Latin quotātiō, from Latin quotāre, is attested from the 15th century. The sense “fragment of verbal expression”, attested from the 17th century, may come from this source, or else from the verb quote + -ation.