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

Keep scrolling for more

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

Asher stars as Billy Batson, a foster kid who's summoned by a wizard who gives him magical powers. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "Everything You Need to Know About "Shazam!" Star Asher Angel," 15 Apr. 2019 Ben Pika, who was summoned from the bullpen in the fourth inning for the Patriots, was just what his team needed. — Randy Mcroberts, The Aegis, "John Carroll comes from behind, beats St. Mary's 5-2 for MIAA baseball win," 4 May 2018 Some Bandidos in West Texas opposed the split, so Forster and Portillo were summoned to Houston, where Pike dispatched Forster and others to take care of the opponents, Forster said. — Guillermo Contreras, San Antonio Express-News, "Bandidos’ secrets spilled by ex-national ranking member," 1 Mar. 2018 Facebook has already been summoned to the Hill to answer questions about 2016. — Alex Shephard, New Republic, "Facebook’s Purpose Is Digital Addiction," 12 Feb. 2018 Upon taking their bows, the young dancers summoned gala-goers to the floor, where the DJ initiated an all-out dance party; the moves that ensued were decidedly less practiced. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "The School of American Ballet Hosts a Dance-Party Gala Dinner," 18 Mar. 2019 Trump is now ordering, as in summoning federal government workers to go back to work without getting paid. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Cardi B's Impassioned Government Shutdown Video Even Had Lawmakers Talking," 17 Jan. 2019 The App How will these Phoenicians summon a Waymo vehicle? — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, "Riding in Waymo One, the Google spinoff’s first self-driving taxi service," 5 Dec. 2018 Police said officers were initially called Saturday morning about a collapsed woman, then were summoned back in the evening after a man fell ill at the same property. — Matt Dunham, BostonGlobe.com, "2 more in England exposed to same nerve agent that sickened spy," 5 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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about summon

Dictionary Entries near summon

Statistics for summon

Last Updated

6 May 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for summon

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

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

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.