petition

[ puh-tish-uhn ]
See synonyms for: petitionpetitionedpetitioningpetitioner on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a formally drawn request, often bearing the names of a number of those making the request, that is addressed to a person or group of persons in authority or power, soliciting some favor, right, mercy, or other benefit: a petition for clemency; a petition for the repeal of an unfair law.

  2. a request made for something desired, especially a respectful or humble request, as to a superior or to one of those in authority; a supplication or prayer: a petition for aid; a petition to God for courage and strength.

  1. something that is sought by request or entreaty: to receive one's full petition.

  2. Law. an application for a court order or for some judicial action.

verb (used with object)
  1. to beg for or request (something).

  2. to address a formal petition to (a sovereign, a legislative body, etc.): He received everything for which he had petitioned the king.

  1. to ask by petition for (something).

verb (used without object)
  1. to present a petition.

  2. to address or present a formal petition.

  1. to request or solicit, as by a petition: to petition for redress of grievances.

Origin of petition

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English peticioun, from Middle French peticion, from Latin petītiōn-, stem of petītiō “an attack, request,” from petīt(us) “assaulted, sought” (past participle of petere “to assault, head for, seek”) + -iō -ion

synonym study For petition

9. See appeal.

Other words for petition

Other words from petition

  • pe·ti·tion·a·ble, adjective
  • pe·ti·tion·er, pe·ti·tion·ist, noun
  • coun·ter·pe·ti·tion, noun, verb
  • pre·pe·ti·tion, noun, verb (used with object)
  • re-pe·ti·tion, verb (used with object)
  • un·pe·ti·tioned, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use petition in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for petition

petition

/ (pɪˈtɪʃən) /


noun
  1. a written document signed by a large number of people demanding some form of action from a government or other authority

  2. any formal request to a higher authority or deity; entreaty

  1. law a formal application in writing made to a court asking for some specific judicial action: a petition for divorce

  2. the action of petitioning

verb
  1. (tr) to address or present a petition to (a person in authority, government, etc): to petition Parliament

  2. (intr foll by for) to seek by petition: to petition for a change in the law

Origin of petition

1
C14: from Latin petītiō, from petere to seek

Derived forms of petition

  • petitionary, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012