subscription

noun

sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən 

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

Some users have even reported cancelling subscriptions over this policy. — Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Eight of the 12 months include only charges for an $18 monthly Herald online subscription. — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 12 Aug. 2026

Active subscriptions will be canceled prior to the transition, but existing balances will carry over. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

Google is also offering a free six-month subscription to its AI Pro plan to anyone who buys the more expensive Pixel 11 Pro or Pixel 11 Pro XL models. — Barbara Ortutay, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

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

Phrases Containing subscription

• subscription TV

Rhymes for subscription

• ascription
• conscription
• decryption
• description
• egyptian
• encryption
• inscription
• prescription
• proscription
• transcription
• circumscription
• misdescription

Kids Definition

subscription

noun

sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən 

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 

: a part of a prescription that contains directions to the pharmacist

Legal Definition

subscription

noun

sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən 

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