Definition of subscription

The word "subscription" originated in the 16th century in relation to written materials, such as journals and books. It comes from the Latin word "subscribere," which translates to "write under" or "sign below." In the context of written materials, a subscription was a formal written agreement signed by an individual at the end of the document. This agreement typically included a promise to make a payment or a commitment to renew a subscription. The term "subscription" came to be associated with the payment system for publications, as readers would agree to pay a set fee in advance for a certain number of issues or a full year's worth of content. This subscription system allowed publishers to generate a reliable source of income and helped prevent high upfront costs for readers. Over time, the definition of subscription has expanded to include various types of payments, commitments, or agreements. It is now used to describe anything that involves paying in advance, committing to a regular payment, or signing a formal written agreement. The word "subscription" continues to be an integral part of language pertaining to various industries and services, from magazine and newspaper publishers to software applications requiring periodic updates.