summon

verb sum·mon \ ˈsə-mən \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: summon in a Sentence

Definition of summon

summoned; summoning play \ˈsə-mə-niŋ, ˈsəm-niŋ\

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

—

summonable

play \ˈsə-mə-nə-bəl\ adjective

—

summoner

play \ˈsə-mə-nər, ˈsəm-nər\ noun

See summon defined for English-language learners

See summon defined for kids

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 of summon from the Web

Americans are messaging friends, streaming videos and summoning transportation and other services on their smartphones more than ever.

— sarah krouse, WSJ, "Cellphone Bills Go Up for First Time in Nearly Two Years," 13 July 2018
The Brewers’ back-end-of-the-pen shuffle continued Friday when Adrian Houser was returned to Class AAA Colorado Springs and Brandon Woodruff was summoned from that club.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Notes: Brandon Woodruff back for fifth stint with Brewers as shuffle of arms continues," 13 July 2018
Past, present and future are coterminous here, a sense underscored by Jon Clark’s lighting and Luke Halls’s video projections, which summon an eternal Manhattan that is equal parts steel and shadow.

— ben brantley, New York Times, "Review: ‘The Lehman Trilogy’ Is a Transfixing Epic of Riches and Ruin," 13 July 2018
Boos were audible after Khris Davis scorched another, a run-scoring smash through the right side that summoned manager A.J. Hinch from the dugout.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Bizarre ending secures Astros' extra-innings victory over A's," 11 July 2018
Buy Photo This time, the public wasn’t summoned with a 2,000-pound copper-and-tin bell.

— diane mastrull, Philly.com, "'We hold these truths': A reading that never gets old," 8 July 2018
Wall also posts updates on Polished Girlz’s Instagram about Mariah’s journey and her strength, summoning not only good wishes for the child, but helping raise awareness for CIPO, a condition that Grubb says affects only one in 300,000 births.

— NBC News, "How a little girl's mission to make sick children feel beautiful launched a mini empire," 7 July 2018
Right-hander Yefry Ramirez will start one game, and Wright or right-hander Miguel Castro could start the other game out of the bullpen or the team could summon right-hander Jimmy Yacabonis from Triple-A Norfolk to make the start.

— eduardo a. encina, baltimoresun.com, "Early Orioles notes: Mike Wright on the right path as reliever; Mancini gets day off," 7 July 2018
Smart Whips Already summoning the need for a craft store outing, the inspiring results of these string-wound ponytails are sure to become the adult alternative to friendship bracelet braiding this season.

— Vogue, "Dior Just Served Up 5 Striking Hair Ideas for the July Fourth Weekend," 2 July 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of summon

Middle English somnen, somonen, from Anglo-French somondre, from Vulgar Latin *summonere, alteration of Latin summonēre to remind secretly, from sub- secretly + monēre to warn — more at sub-, mind

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

summon Synonyms

Phrases

send for;

Synonym Discussion of 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

SUMMON Defined for English Language Learners

summon

verb

Definition of summon for English Language Learners

: 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)