 The choice of words used to describe citizen science impacts the development of knowledge, social action, and large-scale information gathering. A variety of terms are being used to refer to this concept, and it is important to review their theoretical, historical, geopolitical, and disciplinary contexts to provide guidance for future growth in the field. While no single term is appropriate for all contexts, careful selection and explanation of terms should occur in citizen science projects to ensure effective communication with participants. A more systematic study of terminology trends in citizen science is recommended. This article was authored by M. V. Itzel, Jessica L. Cappadonna, Chris Santos-Lang, and others.