What does summon mean?
“Summon” is a formal verb with both practical and figurative uses. In its most common sense, it means to call someone to attend, assist, or appear, as when a person is officially ordered to appear in court or a committee is called together. It can also mean to convene or assemble people, particularly in formal institutional settings. Figuratively, “summon” describes bringing a thought, feeling, memory, or personal resource into conscious use: someone may summon courage, concentration, or memories of an earlier event. The word often carries a sense of authority, urgency, or deliberate effort, making it more formal than “call” in many contexts. Its related noun, “summons,” is especially associated with legal documents requiring a person to appear before a court. Together, these meanings make “summon” useful whenever something must be called forth, whether a person, a group, or an inner quality.
verbTo call someone to attend, appear, or provide assistance, especially by official order. It can also mean to cause people to assemble or to call forth a feeling, memory, or resource.
- To call, order, or require someone to attend, appear, or assist.
- To cause people to assemble or convene.
- To call forth or evoke a feeling, memory, idea, or resource.
"The chairperson summoned the committee to a meeting at short notice."
"She summoned the team to discuss the problem before the deadline."
"He tried to summon the courage to ask the question."
One verb can summon a witness, rally a committee, or call up the courage to speak.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does summon come from?
The English word “summon” came through Old French “somondre” from Latin “summonere,” meaning “to call” or “to summon.” Latin “summonere” is associated with the root “monere,” “to warn,” which also appears in English words such as “admonish,” “monish,” and “monition.” The modern verb developed both its formal sense of calling someone to attend and its figurative sense of bringing something forth.
Related word forms
How summon is actually used
“Summon” is more formal than the everyday verb “call,” particularly when someone is officially required to attend. It is usually transitive and commonly appears in legal, institutional, and figurative contexts.
Easily confused with summon
“Summon” is a verb meaning to call someone to attend or to bring something forth, whereas “summons” is commonly a legal document ordering someone to appear in court.