subpoena

Or sub·pe·na

[suh-pee-nuh, suhb-]

noun

1. 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)

subpoenaed, subpoenaing 

1. to serve with a subpoena.

subpoena

/ səbˈpiːnə, səˈpiːnə /

noun

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

verb

1. (tr) to serve with a subpoena

subpoena

1. 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.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of subpoena¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin sub poenā “under penalty” (the first words of the writ)

Word History and Origins

Origin of subpoena¹

C15: from Latin: under penalty

Example Sentences

The association also said that the subpoena of staff contact information at Cal State L.A. raises “serious concerns about our members’ privacy.”

From Los Angeles Times

Other bills signed by Newsom on Saturday prohibit school officials and employees from allowing federal agents conducting immigration enforcement to enter school sites without a warrant, court order or judicial subpoena.

From BBC

Republican James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, issued the subpoenas to the Clintons and eight other individuals.

From BBC

In May, Baldoni's lawyers tried to obtain messages between Lively and the singer directly from Swift by sending subpoenas to the Grammy Award winner and her legal team.

From BBC

Wiener’s bill, if signed in to law, would protect patients and providers from federal officials attempting to access a state database of patients’ prescription history without a warrant, subpoena, or court order.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• decree 
• mandate 
• summons 
• warrant