1 [no object] arrange to receive something, typically a publication, regularly by paying in advance:subscribe to the magazine for twelve months and receive a free limited-edition T-shirt
arrange for access to an electronic mailing list or online service:some 40,000 users have subscribed to the service
chiefly British contribute or undertake to contribute a certain sum of money to a fund, project, or cause, typically on a regular basis:he is one of the millions who subscribe to the NSPCC [with object]:he subscribed £400 to the campaign
[with object] apply to participate in:the course has been fully subscribed
apply for or undertake to pay for an issue of shares:they subscribed to the July rights issue at 300p a share [with object]:the issue was fully subscribed
[with object] (of a bookseller) agree before publication to take (a certain number of copies of a book):most of the first print run of 15,000 copies has been subscribed
2 [no object] (subscribe to) express or feel agreement with (an idea or proposal):we prefer to subscribe to an alternative explanation
3 [with object] formal sign (a will, contract, or other document):he subscribed the will as a witness
sign (one’s name) on a will, contract, or other document:he was ordered to subscribe his name
[with complement] (subscribe oneself) archaic sign oneself as:he ventured still to subscribe himself her most obedient servant
