A1 noun Formal

summons

/ˈsʌmənz/

A summons is an official paper from a court that orders someone to appear before a judge. It explains when and where a person must go to answer a legal complaint or serve as a witness.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I received a summons to go to court next Tuesday.

I received a summons to go to court next Tuesday.

2

The court issued a formal summons to the defendant.

The court issued a formal summons to the defendant.

3

I just got a summons in the mail for a traffic ticket.

I just got a summons in the mail for a traffic ticket.

Word Family

Noun
summons
Verb
summon
Related
summoner
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'S' at the end of 'summons' as standing for 'Station'—it's a paper that tells you which station (court) to go to.

Quick Quiz

The police officer delivered a _____ to the man for his court date.

Correct!

The correct answer is: summons

Examples

1

I received a summons to go to court next Tuesday.

everyday

I received a summons to go to court next Tuesday.

2

The court issued a formal summons to the defendant.

formal

The court issued a formal summons to the defendant.

3

I just got a summons in the mail for a traffic ticket.

informal

I just got a summons in the mail for a traffic ticket.

4

The study examines how a summons affects legal participation rates.

academic

The study examines how a summons affects legal participation rates.

5

Our company was served with a summons regarding the contract dispute.

business

Our company was served with a summons regarding the contract dispute.

Word Family

Noun
summons
Verb
summon
Related
summoner

Common Collocations

court summons court summons
jury summons jury summons
issue a summons issue a summons
serve a summons serve a summons
receive a summons receive a summons

Common Phrases

jury summons

jury summons

served with a summons

served with a summons

obey a summons

obey a summons

Often Confused With

summons vs summon

Summon is the verb (the action of calling), while summons is the noun (the official document).

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'summons' when referring to the legal document itself. Even though it ends in 's', it is a singular noun.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often treat 'summons' as a plural word because of the 's' ending. Remember: one summons, two summonses.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'S' at the end of 'summons' as standing for 'Station'—it's a paper that tells you which station (court) to go to.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old French word 'somonce', derived from the Latin 'summonere', meaning 'to remind privately' or 'to warn'.

Grammar Patterns

Singular countable noun Plural form is 'summonses' Often used with the verb 'to serve'
🌍

Cultural Context

In many English-speaking countries, receiving a 'jury summons' is a common duty where citizens are called to help decide a court case.

Quick Quiz

The police officer delivered a _____ to the man for his court date.

Correct!

The correct answer is: summons

More law words

justice

A1

Justice is the quality of being fair and reasonable in how people are treated. It also refers to the legal system and the way laws are used to punish people who do wrong.

verdict

A1

A verdict is the official decision made by a jury or judge in a court of law about whether someone is guilty or not guilty. It is also used to describe a person's final opinion or judgment about something after testing or considering it.

trial

A1

A formal process in a court of law to decide if someone is guilty of a crime. It involves a judge, and sometimes a jury, who listen to evidence and witnesses.

hearing

A1

In a legal context, a hearing is a formal meeting where a judge or official listens to facts and arguments about a specific issue. It is typically shorter and less formal than a full trial but follows strict legal rules.

litigation

A1

Litigation is the process of using a court of law to solve a legal disagreement. It involves a judge or jury making a final decision about a dispute between people or companies.

testimony

A1

A formal statement given by a witness in a court of law or a public meeting. It is also used to describe something that serves as clear proof that a fact is true.

witness

A1

A witness is a person who sees an event, such as a crime or an accident, take place. In a legal context, this person provides information or evidence in a court about what they observed.

crime

A1

A crime is an action that is against the law and is punishable by the government. It refers to illegal activities like stealing or hurting someone.

criminal

A1

A person who has committed a crime or done something illegal. This word describes someone who breaks the law and may be punished by the police or a court.

felony

A1

A felony is a very serious crime, such as murder or armed robbery. In legal systems, it is a crime that is punished more severely than a minor offense, often resulting in more than one year in prison.

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