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

Explanation

If you're angry about the new rule that you have to wear bright pink shoes to work every day, why not write up a petition, get all your co-workers to sign it, and submit it to your boss? Petition comes from the Anglo-Norman word peticiun, meaning "demand, request," and when you petition someone, you ask them to consider your request. If you write up a statement against the town's approval of a new carnival district and collect signatures from 100 neighbors to turn in to the city government, that's a petition. If you pray to the carnival gods to rain down ruin on the carnival, that's also a petition — and no signatures needed.

Example Sentences

One petition at a time, one person at a time.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

First, in 2021 Yale eliminated the process by which alumni could run for a spot on its governing board by petition.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

If assets exist, a petition for administration should be filed to appoint a personal representative; in some cases, probate can be initiated by an interested party.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

Villegas was waiting with other day laborers, including Pedro Vasquez Perdomo and Carlos Osorto, when masked armed men aggressively approached and arrested them “based on their appearance,” Tolchin said in the habeas petition.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

It says he spent all break getting kids to sign the petition to keep me in school.

From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya

Related Words

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