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

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

The order, known as an administrative stay, was granted by Justice Samuel Alito, who instructed challengers to file a response to the Texas petition by Monday afternoon.

Read more on Barron's

The demolitions, the IDF spokesperson said, were "based on operational necessity", with residents able to submit objections and petitions to Israel's Supreme Court.

Read more on BBC

In September, Ms Duncan launched an official Parliamentary petition calling for Jay's Law which was backed by Sarah Smith, her local MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden.

Read more on BBC

Cummings of the Center for Biological Diversity, which petitioned to list the Joshua tree under the California Endangered Species Act, said a hands-off approach generally would not bode well for the iconic trees.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

D’Aquino filed a petition for a presidential pardon, to restore her stripped U.S. citizenship.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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