What does subpoena mean?
A subpoena is a formal legal order that requires a particular person to appear before a court, tribunal, or other authorized body, usually to provide testimony or produce documents. As a verb, “to subpoena” means to issue that order or require someone’s attendance in this way. The term is especially associated with criminal investigations, civil litigation, congressional inquiries, and regulatory proceedings. Failure to comply can lead to contempt findings, fines, or other sanctions, although the consequences depend on the court’s authority and the circumstances. In ordinary conversation, the word conveys the authority and seriousness of a legal process and may suggest that the person receiving it has been drawn directly into a formal dispute or investigation. It is distinct from the broader “summons,” though the two can overlap in practice, and specialized kinds of subpoenas include orders directing testimony or the production of documents.
A formal order issued by a court or other authorized body requiring a person to appear to give evidence or to produce documents.
"The defence received a subpoena instructing the witness to attend the trial."
The plural “subpoenas” is standard in modern legal English. Legal documents may distinguish among specific forms, such as a subpoena for testimony or a subpoena for the production of documents.
To issue a formal legal order requiring someone to appear before a court or other authorized body, usually to testify or produce documents.
"Prosecutors subpoenaed bank records as part of the fraud investigation."
The usual inflected forms are “subpoenaed” and “subpoenaing”; “subpoena'd” is also encountered informally.
The plural is standard in legal and formal writing, especially when referring to multiple orders or witnesses.
"The court approved the subpoenas issued to three former employees."
The word literally comes from the Latin sub poena, meaning “under penalty”: disobey a subpoena and you may face a legal sanction.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does subpoena come from?
The word comes from Latin sub poena, literally “under penalty,” with the two Latin words originally written separately. English borrowed it through Anglo-French legal usage, initially with the spelling “subpena.” Modern American English generally uses “subpoena,” while the form “subpoena” became standard in British legal writing. The element poena, meaning “penalty” or “punishment,” is also the source of English words such as penal, penalty, and punitive.
Related word forms
How subpoena is actually used
This is primarily legal and judicial vocabulary. In legal writing, the usual spelling is “subpoena”; the variant “subpœna” occurs mainly in formal citations. Service of a subpoena must be carried out in accordance with the applicable procedural rules.
Easily confused with subpoena
A subpoena is a specific formal legal order to testify or produce evidence, whereas a summons may more generally direct a person to appear before a court or other body and need not concern evidence.