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

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). —Adrienne So Gear Team, WIRED, 13 Apr. 2024

Your graduate will have access to over 200 classes across 11 categories with this MasterClass subscription. —Claire Peltier, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024

In fewer than 400 of the cases, Roku said the malicious actors made unauthorized purchases of streaming subscriptions and Roku hardware products, but did not gain access to full credit card information. —Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Humane claims the pin should be able to make calls, send texts, take photos, and even play music with a Tidal subscription. —Kyle Barr / Gizmodo, Quartz, 11 Apr. 2024

But Google isn't offering a straightforward subscription option for individuals like Copilot, which charges solo developers $10 a month for access. —Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 10 Apr. 2024

According to Pew Research Center, a third of millennials in their early thirties are still being bankrolled by their parents, who are paying off their everyday expenses and streaming subscriptions. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024

For a low monthly subscription fee, users can unlock benefits to manage returns and optimize their investment strategy. —Stephanie Tsai, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024

Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. —Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 7 Apr. 2024

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