Cite vs. Site: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on November 13, 2023
To cite is to reference or mention a source or example; a site refers to a location or place.
Key Differences
To cite in writing or speech means to acknowledge the source of specific information, concepts, or ideas. This practice gives credit to the original author and provides authenticity to the content being presented. On the contrary, a site denotes a specific location or place, whether physical, like a construction site, or digital, like a website.
When one uses the term cite, it often pertains to academic, legal, or journalistic contexts where referencing a source is essential. Whether quoting a passage directly or paraphrasing, it's vital to cite the original source. Meanwhile, the word site has broader applications, ranging from geography to digital domains. A camping site or archaeological site might refer to a specific physical location, while a website refers to a virtual space on the internet.
Cite emphasizes the importance of intellectual property and academic honesty. When a writer cites their sources, they showcase thorough research and lend credibility to their work. In contrast, site is about positioning or locale. In urban planning, selecting the right site for a new building is crucial, just as choosing the right domain name for a new website is in the digital world.
In essence, while cite and site sound similar, their meanings diverge significantly. The former is about referencing and acknowledging, while the latter focuses on location, be it in the physical or digital realm.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb (primarily)
Noun (primarily)
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Meaning
Reference or mention a source or example
A location or place
Usage Context
Academic, journalistic, legal
Geography, digital domains, construction
Example
Citing a research paper
Building site
Related Terms
Citation, citable
Website, campsite
Cite and Site Definitions
Cite
Commend formally.
The officer was cited for his bravery.
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Site
A position or location of something.
The campers chose a site near the lake.
Cite
Summon to appear before a court of law.
He was cited for a traffic violation.
Site
An area of ground where a town, building, or monument is constructed.
The company chose a site near the river for their new factory.
Cite
Make reference to.
The author cites various experts in the field.
Site
A website or online location.
I visit that news site daily.
Cite
Mention as evidence for or justification of an argument or statement.
She cited several studies that support her theory.
Site
A place where a particular event or activity is occurring or has occurred.
The forest was the site of a historic battle.
Cite
To quote or refer to (a book or author, for example) as an authority or example in making an argument.
Site
The place where a structure or group of structures was, is, or is to be located
A good site for the school.
Cite
(Law) To refer to (a previous court decision or other legal precedent), as when arguing a case.
Site
The place or setting of something
A historic site.
A job site.
Cite
To mention or bring forward as support, illustration, or proof
Cited several instances of insubordinate behavior.
Site
A website.
Cite
To commend officially for meritorious action in military service.
Site
To situate or locate on a site
Sited the power plant by the river.
Cite
To honor formally.
Site
(obsolete) Sorrow, grief.
Cite
To issue a notice of violation to
Was cited by the police for jaywalking.
Site
The place where anything is fixed; situation; local position
The site of a city or of a house
Cite
To make reference to a previous court decision. Often used with to
The lower court cited to the Supreme Court decision issued last year.
Site
A place fitted or chosen for any certain permanent use or occupation
A site for a church
Cite
A citation or quotation.
Site
The posture or position of a thing.
Cite
To quote; to repeat, as a passage from a book, or the words of another.
Site
A computer installation, particularly one associated with an intranet or internet service or telecommunications.
Cite
To list the source(s) from which one took information, words or literary or verbal context.
Site
A website.
Cite
To summon officially or authoritatively to appear in court.
Site
(category theory) A category together with a choice of Grothendieck topology.
Cite
(informal) a citation
We used the number of cites as a rough measure of the significance of each published paper.
Site
Region of a protein, a piece of DNA or RNA where chemical reactions take place.
Cite
To call upon officially or authoritatively to appear, as before a court; to summon.
The cited dead,Of all past ages, to the general doomShall hasten.
Cited by finger of God.
Site
A part of the body which has been operated on.
Cite
To urge; to enjoin.
Site
To situate or place a building or construction project.
The U.K. government is dusting off an alternative plan to site the center at a military outfit such as Porton Down.
Cite
To quote; to repeat, as a passage from a book, or the words of another.
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
Site
The place where anything is fixed; situation; local position; as, the site of a city or of a house.
Cite
To refer to or specify, as for support, proof, illustration, or confirmation.
The imperfections which you have cited.
Site
A place fitted or chosen for any certain permanent use or occupation; as, a site for a church.
Cite
To bespeak; to indicate.
Aged honor cites a virtuous youth.
Site
The posture or position of a thing.
The semblance of a lover fixedIn melancholy site.
Cite
To notify of a proceeding in court.
Site
The piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located);
A good site for the school
Cite
Make reference to;
His name was mentioned in connection with the invention
Site
Physical position in relation to the surroundings;
The sites are determined by highly specific sequences of nucleotides
Cite
Commend;
He was cited for his outstanding achievements
Site
A computer connected to the internet that maintains a series of web pages on the World Wide Web;
The Israeli web site was damaged by hostile hackers
Cite
Refer to;
He referenced his colleagues' work
Site
Assign a location to;
The company located some of their agents in Los Angeles
Cite
Repeat a passage from;
He quoted the Bible to her
Site
A specific location or place.
The construction site was fenced off for safety.
Cite
Refer to for illustration or proof;
He said he could quote several instances of this behavior
Cite
Advance evidence for
Cite
Call in an official matter, such as to attend court
Cite
Reference to a source in writing or speech.
Always cite your sources in academic papers.
FAQs
Why is it essential to cite sources in research?
Citing sources lends credibility, avoids plagiarism, and allows readers to verify and further explore the cited information.
What does it mean to cite a source?
To cite a source means to acknowledge and give credit to the original creator of the information or idea.
Can the word site refer to a physical location?
Yes, site can refer to a physical location like a construction site, campsite, or archaeological site.
How does a site plan differ from a floor plan?
A site plan shows the entire property, including structures, landscaping, and external features, while a floor plan details the layout inside a building.
How is a website different from a site?
A website refers specifically to a digital location on the internet, while a site can mean any location or place, digital or physical.
Is citing only important in academic work?
No, citing is crucial in various fields, including journalism, research, and legal work, to provide authenticity and credit.
Are there digital tools to help with site mapping?
Yes, there are various digital tools and software available to assist with site mapping for websites.
How can I find the correct way to cite a book?
Refer to a style guide like APA, MLA, or Chicago, or use online citation generators.
How can one properly cite a source?
Proper citation depends on the style guide being followed (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago), but it typically includes the author's name, publication date, title, and source.
Are there different types of construction sites?
Yes, construction sites can vary based on the project, such as residential, commercial, or infrastructure.
Is it necessary to cite every fact?
While common knowledge doesn't need citation, specific facts, statistics, or ideas originating from a particular source should be cited.
How is a landing site different from a website?
A landing site or page is a specific page on a website, often designed for marketing purposes or a specific user action.
Can the meaning of the site be metaphorical?
While commonly used in a literal sense, site can be used metaphorically, e.g., "the mind as the site of creativity."
Can a word or phrase be cited?
Yes, specific words, phrases, or terminology can be cited if they originate from a particular source.
Is the word site related to sight?
No, while they sound similar, site refers to location, whereas sight pertains to vision or something seen.
Is a campsite the same as a site?
A campsite is a type of site designated for camping, so all campsites are sites, but not all sites are campsites.
How does one decide the best site for a building?
Several factors come into play, including land stability, access, local regulations, and environmental considerations.
Can a site be virtual?
Yes, websites are virtual sites on the internet.
What are the penalties for not citing sources?
Penalties vary but can include academic consequences, damaged reputation, or legal repercussions for copyright infringement.
Are there different methods to cite sources?
Yes, there are various citation styles, including APA, MLA, Chicago, and more, each with its methods.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
