Petition Definition
pə-tĭshən
petitioned, petitioning, petitions
noun
petitions
A solemn, earnest supplication or request to a superior or deity or to a person or group in authority; prayer or entreaty.
Webster's New World
A formal writing or document embodying such a request, addressed to a specific person or group and often signed by a number of petitioners.
Webster's New World
A written formal request or plea in which specific court action is asked for.
A petition for rehearing.
Webster's New World
Something that is asked or entreated.
To grant a petition.
Webster's New World
A pleading initiating a legal case in some civil courts.
A bankruptcy petition.
American Heritage
Advertisement
verb
petitioned, petitioning, petitions
To make a petition.
Webster's New World
To address a petition to; ask formally or earnestly.
Webster's New World
To ask for; solicit.
Webster's New World
To make a request, especially formally.
Petitioned for retrial.
American Heritage
Other Word Forms of Petition
Noun
Singular:
petition
Plural:
petitionsOrigin of Petition
-
Middle English peticion from Old French petition from Latin petītiō petītiōn- from petītus past participle of petere to request pet- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
Middle English, from Old French peticiun, from stem of Latin petitio (“a request, solicitation"), from petere (“to require, seek, go forward")
From Wiktionary
Related Articles
Advertisement
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to petition using the buttons below.