summoned; summoning ˈsə-mə-niŋ How to pronounce summon (audio)
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
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
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.
Lamar delivered a Super Bowl performance wholly unlike any other before it, in which the aim was not to summon nostalgia or comfort but to demand full attention and active listening from his audience. Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 10 Feb. 2025 The Bureau of Mediation Services intervened, summoning both parties for mediation on Monday, March 4, with the union’s strike window opening on Tuesday. Julia Fomby, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 House Oversight Committee Republicans on Wednesday blocked an attempt by Democrats to summon Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk for testimony. Jackson Walker, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2025 Then Roman summons Torres to his office to grill him about the secret he’s been keeping. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near summon

Cite this Entry

“Summon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/summon. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

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

Legal Definition

summon

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

More from Merriam-Webster on summon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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