ticket

TIK-it/ˈtɪk.ɪt/

14 meanings of ticket

1
entry passnouncountable
A paper or phone pass, usually paid for, that lets you go into a show or game, or travel.
Like a key that opens the door to a fun event.
She bought a ticket to the school play for five dollars.
All the tickets for the big game sold out in one hour.
UsageA ticket to a show or game, or a ticket for a train or a time.
2
traffic finenouncountable
A notice from the police or another official saying you broke a traffic rule and may have to pay money.
He got a ticket for parking in front of the fire station.
She paid two speeding tickets last year.
UsageYou get a ticket for speeding or bad parking.
Similarcitation, summons
3
election listnouncountable
A group of people running together in an election, or the main idea a candidate campaigns on.
She agreed to run on the mayor's ticket this fall.
He ran for city council on a clean-streets ticket.
UsagePeople run on a ticket or join someone's ticket.
Similarslate, platform
Note
4
lotterynouncountable
A paper that gives you a chance to win money or prizes in a lottery.
Grandpa buys one lottery ticket every Friday.
She checked her tickets against the winning numbers on TV.
5
support requestnouncountable
A record of a problem someone reports, so workers can track and fix it.
Like taking a number at a busy store and waiting for your turn to be helped.
I opened a ticket when my email stopped working.
The help desk closed forty tickets before lunch.
UsageYou open a ticket, and the help desk closes it when the problem is fixed.
Similarrequest, case
Note
6
way to successnounfigurativelycountable
Exactly the thing you need to solve a problem or get what you want.
A hot bath after the long hike was just the ticket.
If you want a better job, more training could be the ticket.
UsageUsually just the ticket. The ticket to something is the way to get it.
Similaranswer, solution
Note

Less common meanings

7
verbtransitive
To give someone a ticket, for travel or for breaking a traffic rule.
The police can ticket drivers who park on the sidewalk.
An officer ticketed him for speeding near the school.
UsagePeople often say someone got ticketed for speeding.
Similarcite, book
8
price tagnouncountable
A small label on goods that shows the price or what the item is.
Check the ticket on the jacket to see how much it costs.
The clerk printed new tickets for everything in the sale section.
Similarlabel, tag, sticker
Note
9
price tagverbtransitive
To put a small label on something, for example to show its price.
Workers ticket each shirt before it goes on the shelf.
The store ticketed all the sale items in red.
Similarlabel, tag, mark
10
work certificatenouncountable
A paper that shows you are trained and allowed to do a job, like driving a digger or running a ship.
You need a ticket before you can drive the forklift here.
He finally earned his ticket to run the crane on building sites.
11
warrantnounslangcountable
An official order that lets the police arrest someone or search a place.
Similarwarrant
Note
12
noticenoundatedcountable
A short written note or a small notice that gives information.
He constantly read his lectures twice a week for above forty years, giving notice of the time to his auditors in a ticket on the school doors.
a. 1662 (date written), Thomas Fuller, The History of the Worthies of EnglandHere, ticket means a short written notice posted on the doors.
Similarnotice, note, sign
Note
13
shop billnoundatedcountable
A bill showing money you owe to a shop or worker.
Father asked the grocer to put the flour on his ticket.
Your courtier is mad to take up silks and velvets / On ticket for his mistress.
1633, Shackerley Marmion, A Fine CompanionHere, ticket means a store account, buying now and paying later.
Similartab, bill, account
Note
14
name cardnoundatedcountable
A small card with a person's name on it, left when visiting someone.
She was not at home, so he left his ticket with the maid.
"Mr. Gibbs come in just now," said Mrs. Blewett, "and left his ticket over the chimley. There 'tis. I haven't touched it."
1899, The Leisure Hour: An Illustrated Magazine for Home ReadingHere, ticket means a visiting card with his name on it.
Similarcard
Note

Practice

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Origin

It came from Middle Scots and Old French words meaning a note or label, going back to a word meaning 'to stick or attach'. It is related to 'etiquette'.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Ticket has Middle Scots and earlier French ancestry involving words for a note or label. en.wiktionary.org
An earlier source word meant to stick or attach. en.wiktionary.org
Ticket is etymologically related to etiquette. en.wiktionary.org