summons

/ˈsʌmənz/

/ˈsʌmənz/

Other forms: summonses; summonsed; summonsing

A summons is a request or order for someone to show up, especially for legal matters. You could get a summons to testify at a trial, for example.

When you summon someone, you're requesting the person to join you, essentially saying, "Come here!" Similarly, a summons asks for someone to appear. This could be a friendly request or invitation, like a summons to join some friends for a road trip, but the most common type of summons is official and legally binding. If you receive a summons to appear in court, you have to show up. Ignoring that kind of summons is a crime.

Definitions of summons

1. noun

   a request to be present
   synonyms: bidding

   type of:

   invitation

   a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
2. noun

   a writ issued by authority of law; usually compels the defendant's attendance in a civil suit; failure to appear results in a default judgment against the defendant
   synonyms: process

   types:

   citation

   a summons that commands the appearance of a party at a proceeding

   monition, process of monition

   a summons issued after the filing of a libel or claim directing all parties concerned to show cause why the judgment asked for should not be granted

   ticket

   a summons issued to an offender (especially to someone who violates a traffic regulation)

   speeding ticket

   a ticket issued for driving above the speed limit

   parking ticket

   a ticket issued for parking in a restricted place

   type of:

   judicial writ, writ

   (law) a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer
3. noun

   an order to appear in person at a given place and time
   types:

   call up

   an order to report for military duty

   type of:

   order

   (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
4. verb

   call in an official matter, such as to attend court
   synonyms: cite, summon

   types:

   vouch

   summon (a vouchee) into court to warrant or defend a title

   demand

   summon to court

   type of:

   call, send for

   order, request, or command to come