subscription

noun

sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce subscription (audio)
plural subscriptions
1
a
: the act of signing one's name (as in attesting or witnessing a document)
b
: the acceptance (as of ecclesiastical articles of faith) attested by the signing of one's name
2
: something that is subscribed: such as
a
: an autograph signature
also : a paper to which a signature is attached
b
: a sum subscribed or pledged
3
: an arrangement for providing, receiving, or making use of something of a continuing or periodic nature especially on a prepayment plan: such as
a
: a purchase by prepayment for a certain number of regular deliveries of something (such as issues of a periodical) or for a certain period of access to or use of something (such as an online service)
b
: application to purchase securities of a new issue
c
: a method of offering or presenting a series of public performances
d
British : membership dues

Examples of subscription in a Sentence

I'm going to renew my subscription. You won't find this magazine at newsstands. It's sold only by subscription.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rather than needing to spend money on a cable subscription or watching pay-per-view matches, most esports events are streamed for free on Twitch, YouTube, and FACEIT. Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 4 Feb. 2025 Get a lifetime subscription for iOS and Mac for $39.99 (reg. Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PCMAG, 3 Feb. 2025 Nearly 20,000 people canceled their digital subscriptions in a matter of days — a record number for the paper, if a pittance compared to the 300,000 who canceled their Washington Post subscriptions when its owner, Jeff Bezos, made the same move. David Folkenflik, NPR, 3 Feb. 2025 Live stream the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on fuboTV: Start your subscription now! David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for subscription 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English subscripcion mark at the end of a document, concluding formula, from Anglo-French, from Latin subscription-, subscriptio, from subscribere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of subscription was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near subscription

Cite this Entry

“Subscription.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subscription. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

subscription

noun
sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce subscription (audio)
1
: an act or instance of subscribing
2
: something (as a document containing a signature) that is subscribed
3
: an arrangement for providing, receiving, or making use of something of a continuing or periodic nature on a prepayment plan
especially : a purchase of a certain number of future issues (as of a magazine)

Medical Definition

subscription

noun
sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce subscription (audio)
: a part of a prescription that contains directions to the pharmacist

Legal Definition

subscription

noun
sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce subscription (audio)
1
: the act of signing one's name (as in attesting or witnessing a document)
2
: something that is subscribed
specifically : a sum subscribed or pledged
a charitable subscription
3
: an agreement to purchase securities (as stocks) of a new issue and especially of a prospective corporation compare warrant sense 3b

More from Merriam-Webster on subscription

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