a printed, written, or digital pass that shows you have paid to travel, enter an event, or use a service
Lena put her movie ticket in her pocket before going into the cinema.
You need a ticket to ride the bus downtown.
✦ From Middle French "etiquet" meaning a small label or note.
a small numbered card or slip you buy for a chance to win money or a prize in a lottery or raffle
Jorge held his lottery ticket tightly, hoping for a big win.
Every child received a raffle ticket at the school fair.
✦ Adopted in the 18th century for numbered slips used in lotteries.
an official notice from the police or another authority telling you to pay a fine because you broke a law or rule
Maya was upset when she found a parking ticket on her windshield.
If you drive too fast, you might get a speeding ticket.
✦ Sense extended in late 19th century to mean a notice of penalty.
to give someone an official notice saying they must pay a fine for breaking a rule
The police officer ticketed every car parked in the fire lane.
She was ticketed for cycling without lights after dark.
✦ Verb use recorded from late 19th century, formed from the noun.
a written record in a computer system that describes a problem or request so that technical support can track and solve it
I opened a support ticket about the broken printer.
The technician closed the ticket after fixing the issue.
✦ Metaphoric extension from physical slips to digital records in the late 20th century.
a pair or group of candidates running together in an election and listed on the same ballot
The party announced its presidential ticket at the convention.
Many voters liked the balance of experience and youth on the new ticket.
✦ Political sense arose in 19th-century United States from printed ballots listing several names together.
