subscription

noun

sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce subscription (audio)
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 Here’s when and where the games will be airing and ways to watch for free, without a cable subscription. Chris Morris, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024 And a listener streaming an artist 25% of the time does not mean the act receives 25% of the listener's subscription fee. Maria Sherman, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 Late last year, BBC Studios launched BBC Podcasts Premium, its Apple subscription podcast service, in 166 new countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024 The four-episode series will air in two parts, the second of which releases the following day on Monday, March 18, also at 9 p.m. ET The ID channel is available through some cable subscriptions and via live TV streaming services including Fubo, DirecTV, Philo and Sling. USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 Pre-load a favorite book or add a Kindle subscription to complete the gift. Paula Lee, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2024 For subscription and other season info, visit r-t-w.com. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2024 Match Group and Bumble generate the bulk of their revenue — about $4.2 billion for both companies last year — by selling subscriptions, with smaller income streams from advertising. J. Edward Moreno, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 The number of monthly credits received will be tied to the users' subscription tier when the mobile app is generally available. Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subscription.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of subscription was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near subscription

Cite this Entry

“Subscription.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subscription. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

subscription

noun
sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce subscription (audio)
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 How to pronounce subscription (audio)
: a part of a prescription that contains directions to the pharmacist

Legal Definition

subscription

noun
sub·​scrip·​tion səb-ˈskrip-shən How to pronounce subscription (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on subscription

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