subpoena

1 of 2

noun

sub·​poe·​na sə-ˈpē-nə How to pronounce subpoena (audio)
nonstandard
-nē How to pronounce subpoena (audio)
: a writ commanding a person designated in it to appear in court under a penalty for failure

subpoena

2 of 2

verb

subpoenaed; subpoenaing

transitive verb

: to serve or summon with a writ of subpoena

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The Origin of Subpoena

If you think you recognize the sub- in subpoena as the prefix meaning "under, beneath, below," you're on target. Subpoena arrived in Modern English (via the Middle English suppena) from the Latin sub poena, a combination of sub and poena, meaning "penalty." Other poena descendants in English include impunity ("freedom from penalty"), penal ("of or relating to punishment"), and even punish. There is also the verb subpoena, as in "Defense lawyers have subpoenaed several witnesses to the crime."

Examples of subpoena in a Sentence

Noun received a subpoena to appear as a witness for the prosecution Verb He was subpoenaed to testify in a hearing. The prosecutor subpoenaed the defendant's financial records.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
For years, Murakami also fought oversight officials’ subpoenas, at least once citing a scheduling conflict and more frequently citing medical problems. Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 The committee is investigating campus antisemitism amid protests and political displays tied to ongoing violence in Gaza and issued multiple subpoenas to the university in February. Aj Willingham, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 Mesa police issued 25 subpoenas and used police cameras to surveil target locations. Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 In many cases, tech firms don’t even demand a court order for the data: Apple, in fact, only demanded a subpoena for the data until December. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 2 Mar. 2024 Chutkan has yet to rule on other matters, including Trump’s request to toss out charges, to compel government disclosure of some information and to issue subpoenas for private witnesses. Spencer S. Hsu, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 McAfee warned that Bradley, who appeared Thursday, may be in violation of his subpoena. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2024 Expanding influence After the 2020 presidential race, the Justice Department investigation into Hunter Biden heated up, with subpoenas issued to associates including Mr. Morris, who was compelled to produce documents to a grand jury. Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 Musk also contends the subpoena exceeds the SEC’s authority because it was issued by an SEC staffer appointed by the agency’s director of enforcement, not by an officer appointed by the president, a court or the head of a federal department. Guillermo Molero, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2024
Verb
By the time the police subpoenaed the correct year, the records were no longer available. Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 Politico reported earlier on Wednesday that the Arizona investigation had subpoenaed people linked to Trump's 2020 campaign. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Josh Dawsey The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 8 Mar. 2024 That view was bolstered by behind-the-scenes footage that prosecutors subpoenaed. Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Citing people familiar with the investigation, the report found that the SEC has subpoenaed internal records from the company's current and former leaders and board members. Forbes Daily, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Kramer declined to say whether he has been contacted by state investigators, but said he has been subpoenaed by the Federal Communications Commission and will cooperate. Holly Ramer, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 Authorities have issued cease-and-desist orders as well as subpoenas to both companies. Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 6 Feb. 2024 Washington — House Republicans on Tuesday subpoenaed the Justice Department for materials related to special counsel Robert Hur's investigation into President Biden's handling of classified documents. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2024 Roman’s lawyer, Merchant, subpoenaed Willis, Wade, seven other employees of the district attorney’s office and others, including Wade’s former business partner, Terrence Bradley. TIME, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subpoena.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English suppena, from Latin sub poena under penalty

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1640, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subpoena was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near subpoena

Cite this Entry

“Subpoena.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subpoena. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

subpoena

1 of 2 noun
sub·​poe·​na sə-ˈpē-nə How to pronounce subpoena (audio)
: an order in writing commanding a person named in it to appear in court under a penalty for failure to appear

subpoena

2 of 2 verb
subpoenaed; subpoenaing
: to serve or summon with a subpoena
Etymology

Noun

from the Latin phrase sub poena "under penalty"; used as the beginning words of the order

Legal Definition

subpoena

1 of 2 noun
sub·​poe·​na
variants also subpena
sə-ˈpē-nə
: a writ commanding a designated person upon whom it has been served to appear (as in court or before a congressional committee) under a penalty (as a charge of contempt) for failure to comply compare summons

subpoena

2 of 2 transitive verb
variants also subpena
subpoenaed; subpoenaing
: to call before a court or hearing by a subpoena
the inspector is given the power to subpoena any relevant…witnessesHarvard Law Review
also : to command the production of (evidence) by a subpoena duces tecum
subpoenaed documents
Etymology

Noun

Latin sub poena under penalty

More from Merriam-Webster on subpoena

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