subscription

noun

sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce subscription (audio)
plural subscriptions
1
a
: the act of signing one's name (as in attesting or witnessing a document)
b
: the acceptance (as of ecclesiastical articles of faith) attested by the signing of one's name
2
: something that is subscribed: such as
a
: an autograph signature
also : a paper to which a signature is attached
b
: a sum subscribed or pledged
3
: an arrangement for providing, receiving, or making use of something of a continuing or periodic nature especially on a prepayment plan: such as
a
: a purchase by prepayment for a certain number of regular deliveries of something (such as issues of a periodical) or for a certain period of access to or use of something (such as an online service)
b
: application to purchase securities of a new issue
c
: a method of offering or presenting a series of public performances
d
British : membership dues

Examples of subscription in a Sentence

I'm going to renew my subscription. You won't find this magazine at newsstands. It's sold only by subscription.
Recent Examples on the Web Any account with an active subscription will also not be considered inactive. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 Like other Blink products, the best features are locked behind a premium subscription that starts at $3 a month. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 27 Nov. 2023 Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2023 Continue reading your article with a WSJ subscription Subscribe Now Already a subscriber? Nicole Nguyen, WSJ, 26 Nov. 2023 Learn more › Learn a new language through 15-minute bite-sized lessons with this Babbel lifetime subscription, which is on sale for $149.97 through Nov. 26. Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 24 Nov. 2023 The half-year subscription comes with six boxes of speciality pasta made from organic ingredients, as well as unique recipes to inspire your giftee’s next pasta night. Carina Finn, Bon Appétit, 24 Nov. 2023 Watch live local and out of market games and (with the premium subscription) replays. Chris Morris, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2023 The Disney+ basic subscription with ads usually costs $8 a month, so getting it for just $2 is truly a steal. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subscription.' 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

Middle English subscripcion mark at the end of a document, concluding formula, from Anglo-French, from Latin subscription-, subscriptio, from subscribere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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

Dictionary Entries Near subscription

Cite this Entry

“Subscription.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subscription. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

subscription

noun
sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce subscription (audio)
1
: an act or instance of subscribing
2
: something (as a document containing a signature) that is subscribed
3
: an arrangement for providing, receiving, or making use of something of a continuing or periodic nature on a prepayment plan
especially : a purchase of a certain number of future issues (as of a magazine)

Medical Definition

subscription

noun
sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce subscription (audio)
: a part of a prescription that contains directions to the pharmacist

Legal Definition

subscription

noun
sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce subscription (audio)
1
: the act of signing one's name (as in attesting or witnessing a document)
2
: something that is subscribed
specifically : a sum subscribed or pledged
a charitable subscription
3
: an agreement to purchase securities (as stocks) of a new issue and especially of a prospective corporation compare warrant sense 3b

More from Merriam-Webster on subscription

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