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. intrfoll byfor to seek by petition

   to petition for a change in the law

Derived Forms

• peˈtitionary, adjective

Other Words From

• pe·tition·a·ble adjective
• pe·tition·er pe·tition·ist noun
• counter·pe·tition noun verb
• prepe·tition noun verb (used with object)
• re-pe·tition verb (used with object)
• unpe·titioned 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

Ms Curtiss helped to start a petition in 2021 and called on local health boards to "update their antiquated policies".

From BBC

An online petition he started to oppose Chuckwalla has more than 2,200 signatures.

From Los Angeles Times

He has repeatedly petitioned Newport council to grant him access to Docksway Landfill to search for the missing hard drive.

From BBC

“Cole Brings Plenty, an Indigenous man, has tragically become another statistic in the alarming trend of violence against Indigenous people,” said an April Change.org petition demanding justice for the late actor.

From Los Angeles Times

More than 400 of his classmates at William & Mary Law School signed a petition declaring him “unfit to write or determine the law.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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