the definition of subscribing

[suh b-skrahyb]

verb (used with object), sub·scribed, sub·scrib·ing.

to pledge, as by signing an agreement, to give or pay (a sum of money) as a contribution, gift, or investment: He subscribed $6,000 for the new church.

to give or pay in fulfillment of such a pledge.

to append one's signature or mark to (a document), as in approval or attestation of its contents.

to attest by or as by signing.

to append, as one's signature, at the bottom of a document or the like; sign.

to agree or assent to.

verb (used without object), sub·scribed, sub·scrib·ing.

to pledge, as by signing an agreement, to give or pay money as a contribution, gift, or investment.

to give or pay money in fulfillment of such a pledge.

to obtain or have a subscription to a publication, concert series, service, etc.: She subscribes to two food magazines.

to give one's consent; sanction: I will not subscribe to popular fallacies.

to sign one's name to a document.

to give approval to the contents of a document by signing one's name.

Origin of subscribe

1375–1425; late Middle English subscriben < Latin subscrībere, equivalent to sub- sub- + scrībere to write

Related formssub·scrib·a·ble, adjectivesub·scrib·er·ship, nounnon·sub·scrib·ing, adjectivepre·sub·scribe, verb, pre·sub·scribed, pre·sub·scrib·ing.re·sub·scribe, verb, re·sub·scribed, re·sub·scrib·ing.un·sub·scribed, adjectiveun·sub·scrib·ing, adjective

Can be confusedascribe proscribe subscribe

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for subscribing

Contemporary Examples of subscribing

And if you're not subscribing to Commentary - well, you should that's all.
Commentary's Symposium on the Future of Conservatism
David Frum
January 2, 2013

Historical Examples of subscribing

A meeting is to be held, tonight, for subscribing the money for those who cannot afford to do so.
The Young Franc Tireurs
G. A. Henty
For this purpose Thomas Jefferson helped by subscribing $75.00.
A Portrait of Old George Town
Grace Dunlop Ecker
He put it down with the air of one subscribing to a charity.
The Angel and the Author - and Others
Jerome K. Jerome
I am obliged to you for subscribing to the Columbian Magazine for me.
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
The people are tired of subscribing to all sorts of schemes.
Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls
Edith Van Dyne (AKA L. Frank Baum)

British Dictionary definitions for subscribing

verb

(usually foll by to) to pay or promise to pay (a sum of money) as a contribution (to a fund or charity, for a magazine, etc), esp at regular intervals

to inscribe or sign (one's name, etc) at the end of a contract, will, or other document

(intr foll by to) to give support or approvalto subscribe to the theory of transubstantiation

Derived Formssubscriber, noun

Word Origin for subscribe

C15: from Latin subscrībere to write underneath, from sub- + scrībere to write

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 subscribing

early 15c., "to sign at the bottom of a document," from Latin subscribere "write underneath, sign one's name," from sub "underneath" (see sub-) + scribere "write" (see script (n.)). The meaning "give one's consent" first recorded 1540s; that of "contribute money to" 1630s; and that of "become a regular buyer of a publication" 1711, all originally literal. Related: Subscribed; subscribing.

subscribe

verb (used with object), sub·scribed, sub·scrib·ing.

verb (used without object), sub·scribed, sub·scrib·ing.

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Origin of subscribe

Examples from the Web for subscribing

Contemporary Examples of subscribing

Historical Examples of subscribing

subscribe

verb

Word Origin for subscribe

subscribe