ENGLISH
REFERENCE

petition

n. · v.
US //pəˈtɪʃən// UK //pətˈɪʃən// pe·ti·tion
  1. 1 a signed request (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a document signed by many people that asks a government or official to do something.

    a formal written document, typically signed by numerous individuals, requesting a specific action or change from a political or sovereign authority.

    Example

    The students started a petition to keep the library open on weekends.

    Example

    Local residents submitted a formal petition to the city council, bearing over five thousand signatures in opposition to the proposed highway expansion.
  2. 2 legal application (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

    a formal document given to a court to start a legal process, like a divorce.

    a formal written application submitted to a court or magistrate requesting a specific legal order or the commencement of a lawsuit.

    Example

    She filed a petition for divorce after living apart from her husband for a year.

    Example

    The legal team prepared a petition for a judicial review, arguing that the previous ruling had overlooked critical environmental evidence.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 a prayer (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary Formal Religion

    a humble or formal prayer made to a god or a powerful leader.

    a formal or humble supplication or prayer addressed to a deity or a high-ranking sovereign.

    Example

    The monks spent the morning in quiet petition for the safety of the village.

    Example

    The ancient text contains several petitions to the gods, asking for a bountiful harvest and protection from the coming winter.
  2. 4 to make a request (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    to officially ask an authority for something, often by using a formal document.

    to submit a formal request to a government, official body, or court of law.

    Example

    The workers decided to petition for better safety equipment in the factory.

    Example

    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.
Origin

From Middle English, borrowed from Old French peticiun, from stem of Latin petitio, petitionem (“a request, solicitation”), from petere (“to require, seek, go forward”).

Word family

© 2026 English Reference