summon

verb

sum·​mon ˈsə-mən How to pronounce summon (audio)
summoned; summoning ˈsə-mə-niŋ How to pronounce summon (audio)
ˈsəm-niŋ
Synonyms 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
summonable
ˈsə-mə-nə-bəl How to pronounce summon (audio)
adjective
summoner
ˈsə-mə-nər How to pronounce summon (audio)
ˈsəm-nər
noun

Synonyms of summon

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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
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.
Not even the relentless defense chants summoned from the Sparks’ MCs stopped her. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 Mason Englert, summoned again from Triple A to help out, made the spot start and did a good job keeping it close. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2026 Platelets in the blood form clots, white cells are summoned, dead cells are cleared away, and a cascade of chemical signals sounds the alarm to draw in units known as fibroblasts. — Mike McRae 28, New Atlas, 28 June 2026 On Monday, Afghanistan and Pakistan summoned each other's top diplomats to protest the attacks. — ABC News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for summon

Word History

Etymology

Middle English somnen, somonen, from Anglo-French somondre, from Vulgar Latin *summonere, alteration of Latin summonēre to remind secretly, from sub- secretly + monēre to warn — more at sub-, mind

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Phrases Containing summon

Rhymes for summon

See All Rhymes for summon

Browse Nearby Words

summit yard
summon
summoner
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Summon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/summon. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

summon

verb
sum·​mon ˈsəm-ən How to pronounce summon (audio)
summoned; summoning -(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce summon (audio)
1
: to call or send for in order to meet : convene
2
: to order to appear before a court of law
3
: to send for
summon a physician
4
: to call into being
summon up courage
summoner
-(ə-)nər How to pronounce summon (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

summon

transitive verb
sum·​mon
: to command by service of a summons to appear in court

More from Merriam-Webster on summon

Nglish: Translation of summon for Spanish Speakers

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