English Reference
noun

submission

n.
US /səbˈmɪʃən/ UK /səbmˈɪʃən/ sub·mis·sion UK spelling submission's, submission's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the act of giving a document, an essay, or an application to someone so they can check or approve it.

    the act of presenting a document, proposal, or piece of work for consideration or judgement.

    Simple

    The deadline for the submission of your final essay is next Friday at noon.

    In context

    The online portal will automatically close at midnight, so please ensure the submission of your application is completed well in advance.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'of' followed by the item being submitted.

    presentationhanding infiling
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the actual piece of work or document that you have sent to be reviewed.

    the specific item, document, or piece of creative work that has been submitted.

    Simple

    The judges are currently reading through every submission for the short story contest.

    In context

    The committee reviewed over two hundred submissions, eventually narrowing the field down to three potential candidates for the architectural commission.

    Usage

    Countable in this sense.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    the act of accepting that someone else has power over you and doing what they say.

    the state of being obedient or the act of yielding to the power or authority of another.

    Simple

    The soldiers were starved into submission after the city was surrounded for months.

    In context

    The treaty was signed not out of a genuine desire for peace, but as a total submission to the overwhelming military force of the invaders.

    Usage

    Often uncountable when referring to a state of mind or character trait.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced Technical Sport

    a move in a fight that makes an opponent admit they have lost by 'tapping out'.

    a combat sports technique that involves a joint lock or choke, forcing an opponent to yield.

    Simple

    He won the match in the second round with a powerful submission.

    In context

    The fighter demonstrated superior ground control, eventually securing a victory via a technical submission just before the bell.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the context of wrestling, judo, or mixed martial arts.

    tap outhold

An ongoing Senate inquiry seeking to further strengthen the social media ban law received a submission highlighting at least two citation errors in the report.

The Guardian· 17 Aug 2026

It can also be six months from the date of submission if your return was submitted late.

The Local· 12 Aug 2026

Etymology 1

From Middle English submissioun, from Old French soubmission, from Latin submissio, from submitto.

Etymology 2

From sub- + mission.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin submissio
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated