pe·ti·tion
pə-ˈti-shən 
plural petitions
1
a
: a formal written request made to an authority or organized body (such as a court)
filing a petition for divorce
Her defense lawyer had petitioned the court to videotape Scott's testimony about Hearst before he died, but the petition was denied.—
Robert Lipsyte
Robert Lipsyte
b
: a written request or call for change signed by many people in support of a shared cause or concern
Hundreds of contributors and readers signed a petition circulated by the National Book Critics Circle, urging the Post to save the stand-alone section.—Motoko Rich
Motoko RichHer group put together a petition signed by more than 100,000 consumers demanding that regulators crack down on companies who "robocall" consumers using automated dialers and recorded voices to market scams.—Shawn Zeller
Shawn Zeller2
: an earnest request : entreaty
… he begged to sleep with Hareton, and his petition was granted for once.—Emily Brontë
Emily Brontë3
: something asked or requested
petitioned; petitioning
pə-ˈti-sh(ə-)niŋ
; petitions
; petitions
1
transitive
: to make a request to (someone)
especially
: to make a formal written request to (an authority)
His people petitioned the government for permission to use the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. —Taylor Branch
Taylor Branch … to adopt "red-flag" laws, which allow police officers and family members to petition a court to bar dangerous individuals from possessing guns. —Norman J. Ornstein
Norman J. Ornstein 2
intransitive
: to make a request
She neither petitioned for her right nor claimed it.—George Meredith
George Meredith
especially
: to make a formal written request
A year later he moved to Rome and petitioned to join the Jesuits, who gave him a university education and ordained him in 1586. —Brian Vickers
Brian Vickers 
Synonyms
Examples of petition in a Sentence
Noun
They collected 2,000 signatures on a petition demanding that women be allowed to join the club.
Would you like to sign our petition?
We presented a petition to the legislature to change the law.
She filed a petition for divorce.
We ask you to hear our petition.
Verb
The organization petitioned the government to investigate the issue.
All people had the right to petition the king for help.
She petitioned to join their club.
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Recent Examples on the WebTim Stelloh, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2023
According to the petition, Zen, who was 22 months at the time, approached her parents and began crying.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 30 Nov. 2023
The court concluded hearings on multiple petitions about the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)’s investigation into the allegations of stock manipulation that were made against Adani by U.S.-based Hindenburg Research ten months ago.
—Gloria Haraito, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
An online petition calling on the hospital to reverse course and reinstate Dr. Masoud has garnered 89,000 signatures.
—Joseph Goldstein, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2023
This year, a Minnesota appeals court rejected Chauvin’s petition for a new trial.
—Anumita Kaur, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
If these petitions make it to the ballot, the people will decide.
—Breccan F. Thies, Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2023
In a petition to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), bankers and tellers at Wells Fargo branches in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Bethel, Alaska declared their intent to join the Communications Workers of America’s Wells Fargo Workers United (WFWU).
—Niket Nishant, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023
The repair reforms outlined in the petition also go well beyond what states have so far enacted.
—Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 14 Nov. 2023
Adil Rashid, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2023
Then, after the 72-hour hold was extended to 10 days, the Department of Behavioral Health petitioned a D.C. Superior Court judge for an additional extension, lasting up to a year.
—Omari Daniels, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
Despite the narrow defeat the first time, Mayor Shirley Washington successfully petitioned the Pine Bluff City Council over the summer to return the measures to the ballot.
—I.c. Murrell, arkansasonline.com, 15 Nov. 2023
Those petitioning the 5th Circuit after that meeting in 1994 had no chance at all.
—Anat Rubin, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2023
In response, the additive industry petitioned the FDA to keep allowing the use of BVO, but at a lower limit of 15 ppm.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 3 Nov. 2023
Three weeks after the program was introduced, a group representing taxi and ride-hail workers in the city petitioned the court to intervene.
—Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2023
The family had petitioned to be notified of all of Kanyus’s movements during trial, a measure permitted by Russian law for the safety of crime victims.
—Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023
Earlier this year in March, Wozniak signed a letter that petitioned for a pause on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) models.
—Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2023
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Noun
Lawmakers in a handful of states, including California and Connecticut, have enacted laws in recent years allowing victims to cite the abuse in civil matters, including petitions for protection orders.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2023
According to the petition, Zen, who was 22 months at the time, approached her parents and began crying.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 30 Nov. 2023
The court concluded hearings on multiple petitions about the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)’s investigation into the allegations of stock manipulation that were made against Adani by U.S.-based Hindenburg Research ten months ago.
—Gloria Haraito, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
An online petition calling on the hospital to reverse course and reinstate Dr. Masoud has garnered 89,000 signatures.
—Joseph Goldstein, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2023
This year, a Minnesota appeals court rejected Chauvin’s petition for a new trial.
—Anumita Kaur, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
If these petitions make it to the ballot, the people will decide.
—Breccan F. Thies, Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2023
In a petition to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), bankers and tellers at Wells Fargo branches in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Bethel, Alaska declared their intent to join the Communications Workers of America’s Wells Fargo Workers United (WFWU).
—Niket Nishant, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023
The repair reforms outlined in the petition also go well beyond what states have so far enacted.
—Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 14 Nov. 2023
Verb
In 2013, campaign group Common Cause petitioned the Supreme Court to end the ban.
—Adil Rashid, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2023
Then, after the 72-hour hold was extended to 10 days, the Department of Behavioral Health petitioned a D.C. Superior Court judge for an additional extension, lasting up to a year.
—Omari Daniels, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
Despite the narrow defeat the first time, Mayor Shirley Washington successfully petitioned the Pine Bluff City Council over the summer to return the measures to the ballot.
—I.c. Murrell, arkansasonline.com, 15 Nov. 2023
Those petitioning the 5th Circuit after that meeting in 1994 had no chance at all.
—Anat Rubin, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2023
In response, the additive industry petitioned the FDA to keep allowing the use of BVO, but at a lower limit of 15 ppm.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 3 Nov. 2023
Three weeks after the program was introduced, a group representing taxi and ride-hail workers in the city petitioned the court to intervene.
—Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2023
The family had petitioned to be notified of all of Kanyus’s movements during trial, a measure permitted by Russian law for the safety of crime victims.
—Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023
Earlier this year in March, Wozniak signed a letter that petitioned for a pause on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) models.
—Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'petition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin petition-, petitio, from petere to seek, request — more at feather
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Verb
1607, in the meaning defined at sense
Time Traveler
The first known use of petition was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing petition
Dictionary Entries Near petition
Cite this Entry
“Petition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petition. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
petition
1 of 2 noun
pe·ti·tion
pə-ˈtish-ən
1
: an earnest request : entreaty
2
: a formal written request made to a superior or authority
petition
2 of 2 verb
petitioned; petitioning
-ˈtish-(ə-)niŋ
: to make a request to or for
especially
: to make a formal written request
Legal Definition
petition
1 of 2 noun
pe·ti·tion
1
: a formal written request made to an official person or body (as a court or board)
a petition for equitable relief
the creditor filed a petition for involuntary bankruptcy
2
: a document embodying a formal written request
petition
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to direct a petition to
petition the court
: to make a petition
petition for relief
petitioner
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on petition
Nglish: Translation of petition for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of petition for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about petition
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