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

But the law exempts prisoners from petitioning for amnesty if they are accused of such charges as military rebellion or promoting an invasion of Venezuela.

From The Wall Street Journal

Then in March 2025, right before he went public with his ALS, she filed a request to dismiss the original petition.

From Los Angeles Times

In recent years, the Mauritian government successfully petitioned international bodies to pressure the U.K. government to give them the Chagos.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, its final season was poorly received by critics and viewers, with 1.8 million fans signing a petition to "remake season eight with competent writers".

From BBC

But a judge at the Court of Session in Edinburgh dismissed the petition and said there was "no procedural unfairness" in the local authority's vote.

From BBC

Related Words

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