subscription

noun

sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən 

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

For several years, Fox News has had Fox Nation, a streaming subscription service that features shows about things such as cooking and books, hosted by some of the channel’s biggest personalities. —David Bloom, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

The company had its best ever quarter of new subscriptions, which coincided with its new push into live sports like boxing and the NFL. —Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 23 Jan. 2025

One possibility could be a subscription service like Game Pass or PlayStation Plus, as IGN speculated today. —Wes Davis, The Verge, 22 Jan. 2025

Unlike triple-A games, smaller titles that adopt a free-to-play model, or are offered through subscriptions like Apple Arcade, seem to be doing much better. —Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

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

Phrases Containing subscription

• subscription TV

Kids Definition

subscription

noun

sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən 

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 

: a part of a prescription that contains directions to the pharmacist

Legal Definition

subscription

noun

sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən 

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