petition
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a document signed by many people that asks a government or official to do something.
n.a formal written document, typically signed by numerous individuals, requesting a specific action or change from a political or sovereign authority.
Simple“The students started a petition to keep the library open on weekends.”
In context“Local residents submitted a formal petition to the city council, bearing over five thousand signatures in opposition to the proposed highway expansion.”
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
n.a formal document given to a court to start a legal process, like a divorce.
n.a formal written application submitted to a court or magistrate requesting a specific legal order or the commencement of a lawsuit.
Simple“She filed a petition for divorce after living apart from her husband for a year.”
In context“The legal team prepared a petition for a judicial review, arguing that the previous ruling had overlooked critical environmental evidence.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a humble or formal prayer made to a god or a powerful leader.
n.a formal or humble supplication or prayer addressed to a deity or a high-ranking sovereign.
Simple“The monks spent the morning in quiet petition for the safety of the village.”
In context“The ancient text contains several petitions to the gods, asking for a bountiful harvest and protection from the coming winter.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to officially ask an authority for something, often by using a formal document.
v.to submit a formal request to a government, official body, or court of law.
Simple“The workers decided to petition for better safety equipment in the factory.”
In context“The non-profit organisation intends to petition the government for a change in the tax laws regarding charitable donations.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'for' followed by the desired outcome.
Usage petition calling
“A petition to block the early release of PC Andrew Harper's killers has been signed by more than one million people.”
“I launched a petition so Londoners could make their voices heard.”
From Middle English, borrowed from Old French peticiun, from stem of Latin petitio, petitionem (“a request, solicitation”), from petere (“to require, seek, go forward”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.