summon

verb

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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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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 One of Curreri’s hands summoned a drone, accordion-like. — Brendan Fitzgerald, Longreads, "“I miss my body when it was ferocious” The Transfiguration of Paul Curreri," 14 Mar. 2020 Less than two weeks ago, President Vladimir Putin summoned Russian oil companies to a conference room at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport to discuss strategy ahead of a meeting between OPEC and its allies on March 5-6. ... — Summer Said, WSJ, "Russia Takes Aim at U.S. Shale Oil Producers," 13 Mar. 2020 The urban legend in the film claims that Candyman can be summoned by saying his name five times in front of a mirror. — Joey Guerra, Houston Chronicle, "The new 'Candyman' trailer puts a creepy spin on a Destiny's Child classic," 27 Feb. 2020 Despite this, in many publications and interviews, Mead and his admirers have summoned the historical example of Jackson and the antebellum Democrats as evidence for a conceptual outline as applied to our Trumpian moment. — Daniel Gullota, National Review, "Donald Trump Is No Andrew Jackson," 10 Feb. 2020 My child was summoned by the Wuhan Police Bureau at midnight. — Joe Mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, "China’s virus death toll surpasses SARS’, but new cases fall," 9 Feb. 2020 While at the rehab center, the Browns could summon a medical team in emergencies with a push of a button. — Daniela Porat, ProPublica, "Evenflo, Maker of the “Big Kid” Booster Seat, Put Profits Over Child Safety," 6 Feb. 2020 Kellyanne Conway claimed Democrats would regret calling additional impeachment witnesses because Hunter Biden would be the first person summoned by Senate Republicans in response. — Madison Dibble, Washington Examiner, "‘Be careful what you wish for’: Kellyanne Conway says Hunter Biden would be first GOP impeachment witness called," 20 Jan. 2020 On Apatzingán Street, officers were summoned to open a sack that contained two legs, one thigh, and part of a thorax. — Seth Harp, Harper's magazine, "In Harm’s Way," 2 Mar. 2020

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

24 Mar 2020

Cite this Entry

“Summon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/summon. Accessed 1 Apr. 2020.

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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.

summon

transitive verb

sum·mon