subpoena

or sub·pe·na

[suh-pee-nuh, suh b-]Law.

See more synonyms for subpoena on Thesaurus.com

noun

the usual writ for the summoning of witnesses or the submission of evidence, as records or documents, before a court or other deliberative body.

verb (used with object), sub·poe·naed, sub·poe·na·ing.

to serve with a subpoena.

Origin of subpoena

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin sub poenā under penalty (the first words of the writ)

Related formsun·sub·poe·naed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for subpoena

Contemporary Examples

Henry Waxman did subpoena Condoleezza Rice, and she appeared once, in the fall of 2007.
Beirut Barracks vs. Benghazi
Michael Tomasky
May 9, 2014
Meanwhile, Wildstein is fighting a subpoena to appear before state legislators on Thursday.
In New Jersey, There’s No Exit for Chris Christie’s Bridge Trolls
Michael Daly
January 9, 2014
On Wednesday, Airbnb filed a motion in New York State Supreme Court challenging the subpoena.
New York’s Petty War on Airbnb
Jim Epstein
October 12, 2013
The House bill, introduced last Thursday, contains strong protection for leakers and probably would have prevented the subpoena.
Pass a Shield Law Now—or Risk Our Press Freedom
Kurt Wimmer
May 20, 2013
At the time of the AP subpoena, Tracy Schmaler, a veteran Washington communications specialist, held the position.
Jonathan Malis and the DOJ Leak Investigation
Daniel Klaidman
May 16, 2013

Historical Examples

Say, John, couldn't you subpoena a school of mackerel for me?
Thankful's Inheritance
Joseph C. Lincoln
No one ever had so complete an alibi; I could subpoena half Westminster.
The Innocence of Father Brown
G. K. Chesterton
Then the judge asked, "Major Abbott, did you subpoena this witness?"
Mitch Miller
Edgar Lee Masters
No wonder the Shakespeareans are eager to subpoena Ben Jonson's verses.
The Shakespearean Myth
Appleton Morgan
Then he puts his hand in his inside pocket, as if to get the subpoena.
Twenty Years a Detective in the Wickedest City in the World
Clifton R. Wooldridge

British Dictionary definitions for subpoena

subpoena

noun

a writ issued by a court of justice requiring a person to appear before the court at a specified time

verb -nas, -naing or -naed

(tr) to serve with a subpoena

Word Origin

C15: from Latin: under penalty

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for subpoena

n.

early 15c., sub pena, from Medieval Latin sub poena "under penalty," the first words of the writ commanding the presence of someone under penalty of failure, from Latin sub "under" (see sub-) + poena, ablative of poena "penalty" (see penal). The verb is attested from 1630s.

subpoena in Culture

subpoena

[(suh-pee-nuh)]

An order of a court, a legislature, or a grand jury compelling a witness to be present at a trial or hearing, under penalty of fine or imprisonment. Subpoena is Latin for “under penalty.”

subpoena

or sub·pe·na

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}subpoena

Examples from the Web for subpoena

Contemporary Examples

Henry Waxman did subpoena Condoleezza Rice, and she appeared once, in the fall of 2007.

Meanwhile, Wildstein is fighting a subpoena to appear before state legislators on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Airbnb filed a motion in New York State Supreme Court challenging the subpoena.

The House bill, introduced last Thursday, contains strong protection for leakers and probably would have prevented the subpoena.

At the time of the AP subpoena, Tracy Schmaler, a veteran Washington communications specialist, held the position.

Historical Examples

Say, John, couldn't you subpoena a school of mackerel for me?

No one ever had so complete an alibi; I could subpoena half Westminster.

Then the judge asked, "Major Abbott, did you subpoena this witness?"

No wonder the Shakespeareans are eager to subpoena Ben Jonson's verses.

Then he puts his hand in his inside pocket, as if to get the subpoena.

subpoena

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for subpoena

n.

subpoena

Origin of subpoena