summon

verb

sum·mon | \ ˈsə-mən

summoned; summoning\ ˈsə-mə-niŋ

, ˈsəm-niŋ \

Definition of summon

transitive verb

1 : to issue a call to convene : convoke

2 : to command by service of a summons to appear in court

3 : to call upon for specified action

4 : to bid to come : send for summon a physician

5 : to call forth : evoke —often used with up

Other Words from summon Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about summon

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Other Words from summon

summonable \ ˈsə-mə-nə-bəl

\ adjective

summoner \ ˈsə-mə-nər

, ˈsəm-nər \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for summon

summon, call, cite, convoke, convene, muster mean to demand the presence of. summon implies the exercise of authority. was summoned to answer charges call may be used less formally for summon. called the legislature into special session cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge. cited for drunken driving convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes. convoked a Vatican council convene is somewhat less formal than convoke. convened the students muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole. mustered the troops

Examples of summon in a Sentence

The queen summoned him back to the palace. without explanation, the managing editor summoned me to his office

Recent Examples on the Web

At a remote forest cabin, five friends discover a Book of the Dead and unwittingly summon an ancient demon. — Los Angeles Times, "Here are the feature and TV films airing the week of Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019," 11 Aug. 2019 The Brewers also announced that right-hander Aaron Wilkerson was optioned to Class AAA San Antonio and relievers Jake Faria and Devin Williams were summoned from that team. — Tom Haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Zach Davies heads to injured list; Brewers call up relievers Jake Faria, Devin Williams," 5 Aug. 2019 Early in the meet, summoned to meeting to discuss his riding, Arroyo showed up wearing only towels wrapped around his waist and shoulders. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Beau Recall wins Yellow Ribbon by nose; Hollendorfer’s Vasilika finishes third," 3 Aug. 2019 Instead of summoning a pinch-hitter, manager Bruce Bochy allowed starter Shaun Anderson to hit for himself with two outs in the inning and Anderson grounded out to end the frame. — Kerry Crowley, The Mercury News, "Giants fall back to .500, lack of bullpen depth proves costly in loss to Rockies," 2 Aug. 2019 The announcement, moreover, does not explain what the Firemen actually do when summoned. — Emily Tate, WIRED, "When an Online Teaching Job Becomes a Window into Child Abuse," 17 July 2019 Police searched the homes of two activists late Wednesday and summoned seven for questioning. — Washington Post, "Opposition activists summoned for questioning in Russia," 25 July 2019 The Giants were 31-42 when the front office summoned Dickerson from a short stay at Sacramento. — Henry Schulman, SFChronicle.com, "Giants seeing both sides of Alex Dickerson — the power and the pain," 25 July 2019 Cruise, like Waymo, remains focused on the marquee goal of a driverless taxi that anyone can summon on their smartphone and rely on for a ride. — Alex Davies, WIRED, "GM’s Cruise Rolls Back Its Target for Self-Driving Cars," 24 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'summon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

12 Aug 2019

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Time Traveler for summon

The first known use of summon was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for summon

summon

verb

English Language Learners Definition of summon

formal

: to order (someone) to come to a place

: to order (someone) to appear in a court of law

: to ask for (someone or something) to come : to send or call for (someone or something)

See the full definition for summon in the English Language Learners Dictionary

summon

verb

sum·mon | \ ˈsə-mən

summoned; summoning

Kids Definition of summon

1 : to call or send for : convene The clerk … summoned a bellboy and handed him a key. “Take this gentleman to his room!”— E. B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan

2 : to order to appear before a court of law

3 : to call into being : arouse She tried to summon up courage.