submission

noun

sub·​mis·​sion səb-ˈmi-shən 

1

a

: a legal agreement to submit to the decision of arbitrators

b

: an act of submitting something (as for consideration or inspection)

also : something submitted (such as a manuscript)

2

: the condition of being submissive, humble, or compliant

3

: an act of submitting to the authority or control of another

Synonyms of submission

• obedience
• compliance

Examples of submission in a Sentence

I'm preparing the results of my study for submission to a medical journal.

the electronic submission of tax returns

The deadline for submissions is January 31st.

We cannot accept submissions longer than 2,000 words.

Over 5,000 submissions were received.

a religion that preaches submission to God's will

The prisoners were beaten into submission.

Recent Examples on the Web

But the dining room has been upholstered, metaphorically and, at times, literally, into submission. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 14 June 2026

In the week ahead, some hard realities of the office have threatened to overshadow the ostentatious UFC mixed martial arts extravaganza, where combatants sealed inside a wire-mesh octagon try to punch, kick, chop and pummel each other into submission. —Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026

This week, the hard realities of the office have threatened to overshadow the ostentatious UFC mixed martial arts extravaganza, where combatants sealed inside a wire-mesh octagon try to punch, kick, chop and pummel each other into submission. —ABC News, 14 June 2026

According to Academy rules, the number of nominees in each category is determined by the volume of submissions, with the field expanding to a sixth lead or supporting nominee only once entries cross the 80-submission threshold. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin submission-, submissio act of lowering, from submittere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for submission

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition

Kids Definition

submission

noun

sub·​mis·​sion səb-ˈmish-ən 

1

: an act of submitting something (as for consideration or comment)

also : something submitted (as a musical composition)

2

: the condition of being humble or obedient

3

: an act of submitting to the authority or control of another

Medical Definition

submission

noun

sub·​mis·​sion səb-ˈmish-ən 

: the condition of being submissive

Legal Definition

submission

noun

sub·​mis·​sion səb-ˈmi-shən 

1

: an agreement to submit a dispute to and abide by the decision of an arbitrator

an award falls within the general rule that acts of arbitrators must…be coextensive with the submission

—Albert v. Goor, 218 P.2d 736 (1950)

2

: an act of submitting something

upon submission of a properly completed memorandum

—J. H. Friedenthal et al.

also : something submitted

3

: an act of submitting to the authority or control of another