ticket

1 of 2

noun

tick·​et ˈti-kət How to pronounce ticket (audio)
Synonyms of ticketnext
1
a
: a certificate or token showing that a fare or admission fee has been paid
b
: a means of access or passage
education is the ticket to a good job
2
: a summons or warning issued to a traffic-law violator
3
: a list of candidates for nomination or election : slate
4
: the correct or desirable thing
Cooperation, that's the ticket.—K. E. Trombley
5
: a slip or card recording a transaction or undertaking or giving instructions
a savings deposit ticket
6
a
: a document that serves as a certificate, license, or permit
especially : a mariner's or airman's certificate
b
: tag, label
ticketless
ˈti-kət-ləs How to pronounce ticket (audio)
adjective
see also:
write one's own ticket

ticket

2 of 2

verb

ticketed; ticketing; tickets

transitive verb

1
: to furnish or serve with a ticket
ticketed for illegal parking
2
: to attach a ticket to : label
also : designate

Synonyms of ticket

Relevance

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of ticket in a Sentence

Noun We bought tickets for the opera. I got a ticket for speeding. Verb He was ticketed for speeding. methods used for ticketing airline passengers
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.
Noun
Digital fan assets have already helped extend the relationship between supporters and teams beyond tickets and merchandise, introducing digital engagement, participation and rewards. — Julian La Picque, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026 No one from the general public who’d bought a ticket had too much idea what to expect out of Aerosmith for these two shows. — Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
Under the agreement, Victory Live will provide ticketing data and analytics tools to support the Orange Bowl’s operational planning and ticketing strategies. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2026 The probe into StubHub comes as the company and the rest of the secondary ticketing business faces increasing government scrutiny, as fans continue to voice their frustrations over high ticket prices. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ticket

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French etiquet, estiquette note attached to something indicating its contents, from Middle French dialect (Picard) estiquier to attach, from Middle Dutch steken to stick; akin to Old High German sticken to prick — more at stick

First Known Use

Noun

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 6a

Verb

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of ticket was in 1529

Phrases Containing ticket

Rhymes for ticket

See All Rhymes for ticket

Browse Nearby Words

ticker-tape parade
ticket
ticket agency
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ticket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ticket. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ticket

1 of 2 noun
tick·​et ˈtik-ət How to pronounce ticket (audio)
1
: tag entry 1 sense 4, label
price ticket
2
: a summons or warning issued to a traffic offender
got a ticket for speeding
3
: a paper or token showing that a fare or admission fee has been paid
4
: a list of candidates
5
: a slip or card recording a business deal

ticket

2 of 2 verb
1
: to attach a ticket to : label
2
: to give a traffic ticket to
Etymology

Noun

from obsolete French etiquet "a notice attached to something," derived from early French estiquier "to attach"; of Dutch origin — related to etiquette

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