subpoena
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
subpoenasimple
-
subpoenassimple
-
have subpoenaedperfect
-
has subpoenaedperfect
-
am subpoenaingprogressive
-
are subpoenaingprogressive
-
is subpoenaingprogressive
-
have been subpoenaingperfect progressive
-
has been subpoenaingperfect progressive
Past
-
subpoenaedsimple
-
had subpoenaedperfect
-
was subpoenaingprogressive
-
were subpoenaingprogressive
-
had been subpoenaingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of subpoena
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin sub poenā “under penalty” (the first words of the writ)
Explanation
A subpoena is a document that requires its recipient to appear in court as a witness. If you receive a subpoena, it doesn't mean you've done anything wrong; it just means you may have information that's needed by the court. Subpoena can also be a verb: You can subpoena someone by giving them a subpoena. If you receive a subpoena but fail to carry out its instructions, you're in big trouble. This fact is suggested by the Latin roots of this word: the prefix sub- means "under" and poena means "penalty." One nice thing about a subpoena is that it's not a summons; if you get one of those, it means you're being sued.
Vocabulary lists containing subpoena
Latin Root "sub" Words
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To Kill a Mockingbird
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Just Mercy
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Washington Post reported last month that one of its journalists was subpoenaed related to “sensitive reporting about a national security matter” and that the subpoena was later withdrawn.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
The investigator hopped on stage and served Altman a subpoena, naming him as a potential witness in the continuing criminal case against Kirchner for blocking OpenAI’s entrance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
She scheduled a July 8 date to hear additional evidence before she decides on whether to grant a preliminary injunction, blocking the subpoena through the end of the litigation.
From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026
The subpoena requests documents and sworn testimony covering pharmacy contracts, reimbursement rates, “differential treatment of own versus independent stores,” and the company’s expansion plans, according to a press release.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
I couldn’t understand why Cherry’s attorney would serve me with a subpoena.
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
Lawyers for the Times filed motions to quash all the subpoenas.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
The subpoenas were issued after a Times report that the Qatari-gifted Air Force One lacked certain security countermeasures, including anti-missile defenses.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
A Times spokesman said it was pleased that the Justice Department agreed to withdraw the subpoenas, “but they should never have been issued in the first place.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
The Times said federal prosecutors agreed at a court hearing in New York before District Judge Arun Subramanian to "unilaterally withdraw the subpoenas at this time."
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
Though the subpoenas had finally stopped coming, Deborah didn’t believe the lawsuit was truly over.
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
The Washington Post reported last month that one of its journalists was subpoenaed related to “sensitive reporting about a national security matter.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026
Attorney’s Office in D.C. subpoenaed JPMorgan, Bank of America and others as part of a probe into alleged debanking.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026
Cipriani’s lawyer subpoenaed entertainment and sports executive Ari Emanuel to get testimony to advance the beef.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026
The commission subpoenaed unredacted files in the cases in Feburary 2025, but the county counsel’s office has argued they should remain confidential.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2026
But when I spoke with Doug Jones, the attorney for the prosecution and a friend of mine, I discovered that Bobby Cherrys attorney had subpoenaed me to testify as a witness for the defense\ “What?”
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
The Justice Department had just elevated the matter by subpoenaing Trump for the records, and Trump wanted her advice.
From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2024
If they believe there is a potential case to be made, they could also start subpoenaing bank records, he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2024
Mr. Chidi, in an interview, said he was concerned about prosecutors making “a habit” of subpoenaing reporters.
From New York Times ● Aug. 1, 2023
The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, which represents residential utility customers, was subpoenaing documents and deposing witnesses when the reviews were halted.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 14, 2023
The German had swung around toward the men behind him, as though he were subpoenaing them as witnesses.
From Captain Macklin by Davis, Richard Harding
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
