petition

[puh-tish-uhn]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of petition¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of petition¹

C14: from Latin petītiō, from petere to seek

Synonym Study

See appeal.

Example Sentences

A petition circulated online by activists demanded an independent investigation of the fire that goes beyond construction materials and addresses how Hong Kong is run.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In September, lawyers for F.B. filed a petition in federal court for her release.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He was imprisoned for almost 15 years, not once petitioning his old college friend for mercy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He was part of a group petitioning for an independent probe into the fire.

Read more on BBC

Kwan and other organisers' demands turned into an online petition that gained more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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