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Definition of subpoena

subpoena

/səˈpiː.nə/
sub · poe · na
Plural:subpoenas
•
Past Simple:subpoenaed
•
Past Participle:subpoenaed
•
Present Participle:subpoenaing
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subpoena Lexical Profile

subpoena Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A formal legal writ ordering a person to attend a court proceeding to give testimony or to produce specified documents and evidence.

Example

"The congressional committee issued a subpoena requiring the company's chief financial officer to testify next month."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for subpoena

• verb

1

To serve a person with a legal writ requiring their attendance in court or the submission of evidence.

Example

"Defense attorneys plan to subpoena the internal emails and financial records from the accounting firm."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for subpoena
Antonyms
View all antonyms for subpoena

Word Nuance & Usage

The middle 'o' in 'subpoena' is completely silent (/səˈpiːnə/), and as a verb its present participle is spelled 'subpoenaing' rather than dropping the final vowel.

• Rhymes for subpoena

• Nearby Words

subparagraph
subpart
subplot
subpoena
subpopulation
subprime
subproduct

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the early 15th century from the Medieval Latin phrase sub poena ('under penalty'), which were the opening words of the official legal writ commanding a person's appearance.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Subpoena. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/subpoena
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