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

Synonym Usage

See appeal.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

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

RAD filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March, attributing its problems to publicity around the state investigation into the business and other “regulatory matters,” according to petition documents.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

In its court petition, rights group the Katiba Institute warned that the arrangement posed "grave and imminent risks" to public health.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

The secretary then filed a petition in federal court to override the commission’s decision.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

This case is unusual because innocent prisoners typically petition for federal habeas corpus relief, not compassionate release.

From Slate • May 29, 2026

After the meeting, a network of two thousand women set off on a nationwide mission to collect signatures on a petition urging Congress to pass the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

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