Word
petition
Phoneticspe·ti·tion, stress on the second syllable
US/pəˈtɪʃən/
UK/pətˈɪʃən/
Definitions
01a signed request
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
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.
“The students started a petition to keep the library open on weekends.”
“Local residents submitted a formal petition to the city council, bearing over five thousand signatures in opposition to the proposed highway expansion.”
Synonyms
02legal application
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal · Technical
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.
“She filed a petition for divorce after living apart from her husband for a year.”
“The legal team prepared a petition for a judicial review, arguing that the previous ruling had overlooked critical environmental evidence.”
03a prayer
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Religion Literary · Formal
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.
“The monks spent the morning in quiet petition for the safety of the village.”
“The ancient text contains several petitions to the gods, asking for a bountiful harvest and protection from the coming winter.”
04to make a request
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
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.
“The workers decided to petition for better safety equipment in the factory.”
“The non-profit organisation intends to petition the government for a change in the tax laws regarding charitable donations.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'for' followed by the desired outcome.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “petition” in context.
Verb
01. circulate a petition
“Local activists began to circulate a petition to save the historic library from demolition.”
verb + noun
02. dismiss a petition
“The high court dismissed the petition on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence of wrongdoing.”
verb + noun
03. file a petition for divorce
“After months of separation, she finally decided to file a petition for divorce.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
04. submit a petition to the government
“The environmental group submitted a petition to the government signed by over ten thousand citizens.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
Adjective
05. formal petition
“The residents presented a formal petition to the council regarding the new traffic regulations.”
adj + noun
06. online petition
“The online petition quickly went viral, gathering signatures from all across the globe.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. petition for bankruptcy
“The company's petition for bankruptcy was approved by the court yesterday morning.”
noun + prep + noun
08. signatory to the petition
“Each signatory to the petition was required to provide their full address and contact details.”
noun + prep + noun
09. petition calling
Real-World Examples
“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.” Etymology
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.
Word family
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
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