summons
🇺🇸 /ˈsʌmənz/
📖 Definitions
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noun
An official order issued by a court or other authority requiring a person to appear at a specified place and time, especially to attend court as a party or witness.; A formal call or demand for someone to be present or to do something; a summoning.; A written order directing a person to appear before a court or judicial officer to answer a charge or complaint.; In British English, a written order from a court requiring a person to appear to answer a minor criminal charge, as distinct from an arrest warrant.
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verb
To serve someone with a summons; to cite someone to appear in court.; To call upon someone to come or be present; to summon (archaic or literary usage).
🔗 Details
Word forms
countable
Plural: summonses
3rd sing.: summonses
Past: summonsed
Past part.: summonsed
Pres part.: summonsing
Collocations
issue a summonsserve a summonsreceive a summonscourt summonssummons to appearwrit of summons
Derivatives
summonsummonersummonable
Synonyms
writsubpoenacitationmandatecall
Commonly confused
summon
EN: 'Summon' is a verb meaning to call or order someone to appear; 'summons' is primarily a noun (the legal document itself) or a verb meaning to serve someone with a summons.
subpoena
EN: 'Subpoena' specifically compels a witness to testify or produce evidence; 'summons' more broadly orders a party to appear in court to answer a complaint.
Spelling tips
EN: The singular noun is 'summons' (not 'summon'), and the plural is 'summonses' (not 'summons'). A very common error is treating 'summons' as already plural and writing 'a summon' for the singular.
💬 Examples
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The witness received a summons to appear in court on Monday.
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The king's summons required all nobles to attend the assembly.
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A summons was served on the defendant for breach of contract.
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He was issued a summons for speeding rather than being arrested.
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The court summoned the suspect to appear before the judge.
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The general summoned his officers to the war council.