summons

American  

[suhm-uhnz] / ˈsʌm ənz /

noun

plural

summonses

1. an authoritative command, message, or signal by which one is summoned.

2. a request, demand, or call to do something.

   a summons to surrender.

3. Law.

   1. a call or citation by authority to appear before a court or a judicial officer.

   2. the writ by which the call is made.

4. an authoritative call or notice to appear at a specified place, as for a particular purpose or duty.

5. a call issued for the meeting of an assembly or parliament.

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verb (used with object)

1. to serve with a summons; summon.

summons British  

/ ˈsʌmənz /

noun

1. a call, signal, or order to do something, esp to appear in person or attend at a specified place or time

2. 1. an official order requiring a person to attend court, either to answer a charge or to give evidence

   2. the writ making such an order Compare warrant

3. a call or command given to the members of an assembly to convene a meeting

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verb

1. to take out a summons against (a person)

Other Word Forms

• nonsummons
  noun
• resummons
  noun

Etymology

Origin of summons

1250–1300; Middle English somons < Anglo-French; Old French somonse < Vulgar Latin *summonsa, for Latin summonita, feminine past participle of summonēre; see summon

Explanation

A summons is a request or order for someone to show up, especially for legal matters. You could get a summons to testify at a trial, for example. When you summon someone, you're requesting the person to join you, essentially saying, "Come here!" Similarly, a summons asks for someone to appear. This could be a friendly request or invitation, like a summons to join some friends for a road trip, but the most common type of summons is official and legally binding. If you receive a summons to appear in court, you have to show up. Ignoring that kind of summons is a crime.

Example Sentences

"You're not a eukaryote if you don't have sterols or comparable membrane lipids," Summons says.

From Science Daily • Feb. 27, 2026

A spokesperson for the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service confirmed that a Personal Injuries Summons had been received and registered by the Court of Session.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2024

Attorneys for Combs alleged in the 83-page motion, obtained by The Times, that the Bad Boy Records founder “was not served with the Summons and Complaint,” which Cardello-Smith had filed in June.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2024

When reading "Bird Summons," I kept imagining a piece of paper with lines of string tied to each corner.

From Salon • Feb. 4, 2020

The great Summons had in fact come, although Hillyard knew it not.

From The Summons by Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)

Related Words

• indictment
• subpoena
• warrant
• writ