pray

verb

prayed; praying; prays

transitive verb

1
: entreat, implore
often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea
pray be careful
2
: to get or bring by praying

intransitive verb

1
: to make a request in a humble manner
2
: to address God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving

Examples of pray in a Sentence

There's little else to do now but hope and pray. The minister said, “Let us pray.” He prayed that they would have the strength to go on. He prayed that he would find a parking spot.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ann Lee’s followers deemed her the female Jesus Christ, and her worshippers prayed through song and dance, hence the music-centric genre for the historical feature. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 22 July 2025 Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time. Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025 Over the two decades that Al-Waleed was in a coma, his father opted to keep him on life support and often shared social media footage of himself and other family members praying for his son's recovery. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 20 July 2025 Please pray for the families of the sheriff’s deputies killed. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pray

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French prier, praer, preier, from Latin precari, from prec-, prex request, prayer; akin to Old High German frāga question, frāgēn to ask, Sanskrit pṛcchati he asks

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pray was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pray. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

pray

verb
1
: to ask earnestly : beg
I pray you, tell me where they went
2
: to address God with adoration, confession, pleading, or thanksgiving

Legal Definition

pray

transitive verb
: to ask for
plaintiff prays judgment against the defendants
used especially in pleadings

intransitive verb

: to make a request of a court especially in a complaint or petition
complainant prays for declaratory relief

More from Merriam-Webster on pray

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!