subscription

/səbˈskrɪpʃən/

/səbˈskrɪpʃən/

Other forms: subscriptions

A subscription is an agreement conveyed with a signature. It's also buying a bunch of issues of a periodical, such as a year's subscription to "The New York Times" newspaper.

See the word script in subscription? That's a clue that this word has to do with writing. Specifically, a subscription is the act of signing something that you agree to, like a petition. You can have a subscription to a belief too. Also, when you order a magazine or newspaper's future issues, you buy a subscription. Subscriptions like this usually last one year: you pay, and the magazine agrees to send you copies until your subscription runs out.

Definitions of subscription

1. noun

   agreement expressed by (or as if expressed by) signing your name
   type of:

   agreement

   the verbal act of agreeing
2. noun

   a payment for consecutive issues of a newspaper or magazine for a given period of time
   type of:

   payment

   a sum of money paid or a claim discharged
3. noun

   a pledged contribution
   type of:

   contribution, donation

   act of giving in common with others for a common purpose especially to a charity
4. noun

   the act of signing your name; writing your signature (as on a document)
   “the deed was attested by the subscription of his signature”

   types:

   execution, execution of instrument

   (law) the completion of a legal instrument (such as a contract or deed) by signing it (and perhaps sealing and delivering it) so that it becomes legally binding and enforceable

   type of:

   handwriting

   the activity of writing by hand