Subpoena: meaning, definitions and examples

A subpoena is typically used in a legal context to order someone to attend court as a witness or produce documents.

• She was issued a subpoena to testify in court next month.
• The lawyer served a subpoena to the company demanding they provide records.

A summons is a legal document ordering someone to appear in court, usually as a defendant in a lawsuit or a similar legal proceeding.

• He received a summons to appear in court for the lawsuit.
• A court summons was delivered to her house indicating that she was being sued.

A writ is a formal written order issued by a court requiring a person to take a specific action or refrain from doing something. It is used in a variety of legal situations.

• The court issued a writ of habeas corpus to release the unjustly detained prisoner.
• They sought a writ of injunction to prevent the demolition of the historic building.

A citation can refer to a formal notice to appear in court, often for minor legal matters such as traffic violations. It can also mean a reference to a legal precedent or scholarly work.

• The officer gave him a citation for speeding.
• The research paper included a citation of several authoritative sources.

Legal proceedings. Often used to refer to a formal written order from a court demanding someone to appear before it or produce evidence.

• The witness was issued a subpoena to testify in court.
• She received a subpoena demanding her to bring the documents.

General or formal context. Refers to calling someone to attend a meeting, appear in court, or come to a specific place.

• He was summoned to the manager’s office for a meeting.
• The judge summoned the jury back into the courtroom.

Legal or academic context. Refers to mentioning someone or something formally as evidence, in law, or as a reference in academic work.

• The lawyer cited several cases to support her argument.
• He was cited for contempt of court.

General context. Used to describe forcing someone to do something, often through pressure or necessity.

• The evidence compelled him to confess to the crime.
• Her parents compelled her to go to the family gathering.