subpoena

American  

[suh-pee-nuh, suhb-] / səˈpi nə, səb- /

Or subpena

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.

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verb (used with object)

subpoenaed, subpoenaing

1. to serve with a subpoena.

subpoena British  

/ səbˈpiːnə, səˈpiːnə /

noun

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

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verb

1. (tr) to serve with a subpoena

subpoena Cultural  

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.”

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Etymology

Origin of subpoena

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

Example Sentences

The department said in July that it had sent more than 20 subpoenas to doctors and clinics.

From The Wall Street Journal

I learned around the same time that three months earlier Mr. Bratt had issued a grand-jury subpoena for “any and all” documents bearing classification markings.

From The Wall Street Journal

Prosecutors couldn’t guarantee that a subpoena to testify in court would protect him from being detained and deported, Montoya added.

From Salon

They have quasi-judicial powers, such as power of subpoena, and the ability to force witnesses to testify.

From The Wall Street Journal

There are also handwritten notes on Epstein’s stationery, a grand jury subpoena from 2019 that was largely redacted and photos of celebrities and evidence seized at Epstein’s properties.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• decree
• mandate
• summons
• warrant