Traffic Ticket: Definition, Examples & Tips

Meaning 1：a citation for a traffic violation (traffic ticket)

traffic ticket 🔊

/ˈtræfɪk ˈtɪkɪt/

A fine or summons for a traffic offense.

Police officer writing a traffic ticket on a sunny street

a citation for a traffic violation 🔊

➕

/ə saɪˈteɪʃən fɔr ə ˈtræfɪk ˌvaɪəˈleɪʃən/

An official notice issued by a law enforcement officer to a driver who has violated traffic laws, typically requiring payment of a fine or court appearance.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Traffic (Latin 'trafficare' - to trade) + ticket (Old French 'estiquet' - a note).

💡 Mnemonic

Think: a 'ticket' is like an invitation to court, but for a 'traffic' violation — not a fun event.

📖 Example

He saw the flashing police lights behind him and knew he was about to get a traffic ticket for speeding. 🔊 He saw the flashing police lights behind him and knew he was about to get a traffic ticket for speeding.

🔗 Collocations

get a traffic ticket – receive a citation for a traffic violation

pay a traffic ticket – remit the fine for a traffic offense

contest a traffic ticket – dispute a traffic citation in court

🔄 Synonyms

citation (n.) – a formal written notice of a minor legal violation, especially a traffic offense

summons (n.) – an official order to appear in court, often issued for a traffic infraction

ticket (n.) – an informal term for a citation or summons for a traffic violation

📖 Cultural Story

The traffic ticket as a written citation emerged in the early 1900s after automobiles became common, replacing verbal warnings to ensure consistent enforcement of traffic laws across jurisdictions.