submission

noun

sub·​mis·​sion səb-ˈmi-shən 

1

a

: a legal agreement to submit to the decision of arbitrators

b

: an act of submitting something (as for consideration or inspection)

also : something submitted (such as a manuscript)

2

: the condition of being submissive, humble, or compliant

3

: an act of submitting to the authority or control of another

Synonyms

• compliance
• conformity
• obedience
• subordination

Examples of submission in a Sentence

I'm preparing the results of my study for submission to a medical journal.

the electronic submission of tax returns

The deadline for submissions is January 31st.

We cannot accept submissions longer than 2,000 words.

Over 5,000 submissions were received.

a religion that preaches submission to God's will

The prisoners were beaten into submission.

Recent Examples on the Web

Picture show Claire Thomas A nonprofit publication called Rest of World received almost 230 submissions from 45 countries for its annual photo contest, which asked entrants to show the impact of technology in their communities. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 17 Feb. 2025

More than 9,000 submissions from people from all walks of life. —Andrew Jones, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2025

Participants should submit their entries by May 30, 2025 via their submission platform. —Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025

The submissions also include joking, off-topic, threatening and even racist messages. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin submission-, submissio act of lowering, from submittere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

submission

noun

sub·​mis·​sion səb-ˈmish-ən 

1

: an act of submitting something (as for consideration or comment)

also : something submitted (as a musical composition)

2

: the condition of being humble or obedient

3

: an act of submitting to the authority or control of another

Medical Definition

submission

noun

sub·​mis·​sion səb-ˈmish-ən 

: the condition of being submissive

Legal Definition

submission

noun

sub·​mis·​sion səb-ˈmi-shən 

1

: an agreement to submit a dispute to and abide by the decision of an arbitrator

an award falls within the general rule that acts of arbitrators must…be coextensive with the submission

—Albert v. Goor, 218 P.2d 736 (1950)

2

: an act of submitting something

upon submission of a properly completed memorandum

—J. H. Friedenthal et al.

also : something submitted

3

: an act of submitting to the authority or control of another