summon

verb

sum·​mon ˈsə-mən 

summoned; summoning ˈsə-mə-niŋ 

ˈsəm-niŋ

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 

adjective

summoner

ˈsə-mə-nər 

ˈsəm-nər

noun

Synonyms

• call
• hail

Choose the Right Synonym for summon

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

Sammie’s music even summons traditional Chinese dancers, awakening Americanized Bo and Grace’s cultural heritage. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025

Trump summoned House Republicans to the White House for a midday meeting as the beleaguered speaker pulls out all the stops to nudge the process forward before lawmakers leave Thursday for a two-week spring recess. —Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025

In Harper’s case, the IRS issued a John Doe summons to Coinbase, seeking detailed transaction records for over 14,000 customers, including Harper, with only a general suspicion of potential wrongdoing. —Joshua D. Smeltzer, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

The former is on the outs with the family, and he's summoned his sister to a meeting to discuss a proposition. —Matt Cabral, EW.com, 6 Apr. 2025

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

Phrases Containing summon

• summon up

Rhymes for summon

• saman
• multivitamin

Kids Definition

summon

verb

sum·​mon ˈsəm-ən 

summoned; summoning -(ə-)niŋ 

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 

noun

Legal Definition

summon

transitive verb

sum·​mon

: to command by service of a summons to appear in court