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

In the House, Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, still in a bit of a hole after having signed the Epstein files discharge petition, said that she is preparing her own legislation.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

Since then, more than 4,000 people have signed petitions to recall the mayor and three other council members who supported the project, according to petition organizers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 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

Having submitted her petition to the presidential administration, Yulia is back at work, baking bread at her catering company.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

“He told me about a petition that you kids put together. He’s very, very upset.”

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser

Related Words

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