-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

-io
-ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
-ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

343 / 371

noun

subscription

suhb-SKRIP-shuhn/səbˈskrɪpʃn/

An arrangement to receive something regularly or access a service, usually for a fee.

The paid subscription brings successive magazine deliveries to the recipient.

Three identical plain magazine envelopes arrive in sequence beside coins paid in advance, a small calendar-style grid without letters suggests recurring paid delivery, no text.

Etymology

subLatinunder; up from under; subordinate or lesser

+scriptLatinwrite

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

A subscription was originally writing underneath a document, especially a signature. Signing became a formal agreement to make payments—the commitment behind an arrangement to receive something regularly.

In context

Ensemble1:39

Just like with Netflix, even if you don't watch anything, you're still paying your subscription, right?

How Health Insurance Works | What is a Deductible? Coinsurance? Copay? Premium?

More examples

I renew my newspaper subscription every January.
This subscription gives us unlimited access to the software.
You can cancel both subscriptions online.

Forms

subscription · subscriptions

subscribe verb — Arrange for regular delivery or service access.

subscriber noun — Someone who receives something through a subscription.

Similar words

membership: Emphasizes belonging to an organization, often with access benefits.
plan: Emphasizes a service's pricing and terms rather than ongoing enrollment.