quote

1 of 2

verb

quoted; quoting

transitive verb

1
a
: to speak or write (a passage) from another usually with credit acknowledgment
b
: to repeat a passage from especially in substantiation or illustration
c
: borrow sense 2a
quoting the motifs of past artists
2
: to cite in illustration
quote a similar case
3
a
: to state (the current price or bid-offer spread) for a commodity, stock, or bond
b
: to give exact information on
4
: to set off by quotation marks

intransitive verb

: to inform a hearer or reader that matter following is quoted
quoter noun

quote

2 of 2

noun

1
2
: quotation mark
often used orally to indicate the beginning of a direct quotation

Examples of quote in a Sentence

Verb He began his speech by quoting Shakespeare. The reporter quoted the police chief as saying that an investigation would be launched soon. He quotes the Bible frequently. Noun Each chapter of the book began with an inspirational quote. She included quotes from the poem in her essay. The article included quotes from the mayor and several councilors. The price quotes exceeded our expectations. I checked the stock quotes online. Titles of newspaper articles should be placed in quotes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Pete Rizzo — aka The Bitcoin Historian on X/Twitter — recently quoted Dorsey speculating that Bitcoin might be the currency of AI with the rationale that autonomous agents of AI will gravitate toward zero-friction transactions. Tor Constantino, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 Religious Easter Quotes Bible quotes about the resurrection are a perfect fit for Easter. Kara Nesvig, Parents, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
Leavitt, 27, was responding to a reporter who read a quote from French member of the European Parliament Raphaël Glucksmann. Angel Saunders, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025 Collins rephrased a quote by James Connolly, a revered Irish labor leader whose picture overlooked the speakers’ area at the lunch. Ted Reed, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quote

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Medieval Latin quotare to mark the number of, number references, from Latin quotus of what number or quantity, from quot how many, (as) many as; akin to Latin qui who — more at who

First Known Use

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1888, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quote was in 1582

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Quote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quote. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

quote

1 of 2 verb
quoted; quoting
1
: to repeat (someone else's words) exactly
quote Shakespeare
2
: to give as an example
3
: to set off written material by quotation marks

quote

2 of 2 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on quote

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