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noun Common

subscription

suhb-SKRIHP-shuhn
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Subscription (noun) means an arrangement to receive a product or service regularly, usually for a recurring payment. Example: “The magazine offers a yearly subscription that includes a free digital edition.”

noun
1
An arrangement to receive a product or service regularly, usually for a recurring payment.
"The magazine offers a yearly subscription that includes a free digital edition."
"Remember to renew your subscription before the end of the month or it will lapse."
"She canceled her gym subscription after moving cities."

How to use subscription

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn ongoing paid arrangement to keep receiving something, like a magazine, app, or streaming service.

Common pairings
monthly subscription cancel a subscription subscription fee
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Word forms

Plural
subscriptions
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Fill the gap

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The magazine offers a yearly _____ that includes a free digital edition.

Etymology

From Latin subscriptiō, related to subscribe, literally "a writing beneath" — signing one's name to an agreement.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for subscription

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Frequently asked questions

What does “subscription” mean?
The word “subscription” means an arrangement to receive a product or service regularly, usually for a recurring payment. In plain terms, an ongoing paid arrangement to keep receiving something, like a magazine, app, or streaming service.
How do you pronounce “subscription”?
“Subscription” is pronounced suhb-SKRIHP-shuhn (/səbˈskɹɪpʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “subscription” in a sentence?
Here is “subscription” used in a sentence: “She canceled her gym subscription after moving cities.”
What part of speech is “subscription”?
“Subscription” is a noun.
Where does the word “subscription” come from?
The word “subscription” comes from Latin. From Latin subscriptiō, related to subscribe, literally "a writing beneath" — signing one's name to an agreement.
Is “subscription” a common word?
“Subscription” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a subscription and a membership?
A subscription is an arrangement to receive a product or service regularly, usually for a recurring payment, such as a streaming service or a magazine. A membership means belonging to an organization, club, or program, which may bring benefits beyond a product, such as access to facilities or voting rights. Many modern services blur the line by calling paid subscriptions "memberships."
Do you say "subscription to" or "subscription for"?
The standard preposition is "to": you have a subscription to a magazine, a channel, or a service. "Subscription for" appears mainly when naming the person or purpose it serves ("a subscription for my son") or the period paid for. When naming the thing you receive, use "to."
What is the difference between canceling a subscription and unsubscribing?
Canceling a subscription ends a paid arrangement, stopping both the recurring payment and the product or service. Unsubscribing usually means opting out of something free, most often an email mailing list. If money changes hands regularly, you cancel; if you are just stopping emails, you unsubscribe.

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