petition

American  

[puh-tish-uhn] / pəˈtɪʃ ən /

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.

   Synonyms:

   suit

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.

   Synonyms:

   appeal, solicitation, entreaty

3. something that is sought by request or entreaty.

   to receive one's full petition.

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

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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.

3. to ask by petition for (something).

verb (used without object)

1. to present a petition.

2. to address or present a formal petition.

   Synonyms:

   sue, solicit

3. to request or solicit, as by a petition.

   to petition for redress of grievances.

petition British  

/ 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

3. law a formal application in writing made to a court asking for some specific judicial action

   a petition for divorce

4. the action of petitioning

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verb

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

   to petition Parliament

2. to seek by petition

   to petition for a change in the law

Related Words

See appeal.

Other Word Forms

• counterpetition noun
• petitionable adjective
• petitionary adjective
• petitioner noun
• petitionist noun
• prepetition noun
• re-petition verb (used with object)
• unpetitioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of petition

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

Example Sentences

However, my attorney refused to respond to the petition unless I agreed to renegotiate his compensation.

From MarketWatch

Over the years, his parents petitioned courts several times to allow their son's life support system to be removed.

From BBC

But petitions that have been mailed and texted to California voters in recent days demonstrate the stakes in a contest that has drawn tens of millions of dollars in campaign spending.

From Los Angeles Times

Lawyers for Rodriguez filed an emergency petition Wednesday, seeking her immediate release.

From The Wall Street Journal

She will meet a UK government minister later after her petition for change collected more than 10,000 signatures.

From BBC

Related Words

• ask
• beg
• beseech
• call upon
• implore
• pray
• seek
• sue
• urge