petition
noun
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Definition of petition
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : an earnest request : entreaty
2a : a formal written request made to an official person or organized body (such as a court)
b : a document embodying such a formal written request
3 : something asked or requested
petition
verb
\
Definition of petition (Entry 2 of 2)
: to make a request to : solicit
: to make a request especially : to make a formal written request
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Other words from petition
Noun
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adjective
Verb
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noun
Synonyms for petition
Synonyms: Noun
appeal, cry, desire, entreaty, plea, pleading, prayer, solicitation, suit, supplication
Synonyms: Verb
appeal (to), beg, beseech, besiege, entreat, implore, importune, plead (to), pray, solicit, supplicate
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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.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The petition drive to put Mr. Liu on the ballot was first reported by the New York Post. — New York Times, "John Liu Plots a Comeback Trail, Targeting a Renegade Democrat," 13 July 2018 After the petition drive, Google employees are debating whether, when and how to go public in the future. — Joseph Menn, The Christian Science Monitor, "Silicon Valley employees increasingly push companies on ethics," 13 July 2018 Throughout the process, Jenkins also become convinced that the Cruz campaign was improperly interfering in the petition drive. — Patrick Svitek, star-telegram, "After failing to crash Texas’ Senate race, independent candidate alleges Cruz campaign derailed him," 7 July 2018 Which is why longtime AFL historian Todd Tobias is leading a campaign by gathering testimonials and initiating a petition drive to help boost Robinson's case with the Hall of Fame senior committee. — Vahe Gregorian, kansascity, "Amid Hall of Fame campaign, Chiefs great Johnny Robinson stands for something more," 5 July 2018 State lawmakers abolished capital punishment in 2015, overriding Ricketts’ veto, but voters reinstated the following year through a petition drive partially financed by the Republican governor. — Washington Post, "Nebraska sets execution date for longest-serving inmate," 5 July 2018 The petition drive opposing the Hamilton County commissioners' sales tax increase is on the verge of receiving a $25,000 donation, insiders say. — Jason Williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX column: I'm not your enemy. Let's hope Trump tones down attacks on media after shooting," 29 June 2018 Mary Glassman and Jahana Hayes will have the Democratic primary all to themselves in the 5th Congressional District after Shannon Kula fell short with her petition drive. — Neil Vigdor, courant.com, "Democrat Shannon Kula Fails To Qualify For 5th Congressional District Primary," 29 June 2018 The council at the time rejected the idea, prompting Grosch to lead an initiative petition drive that collected enough signatures to qualify for ballot status. — Steve Dreyer, Pomerado News, "Poway mayor, councilmen, will run in November," 27 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Is that the proper way to do things, or can the two new board members take control, and if so, can owners petition to remove them from office? — Benny L. Kass, chicagotribune.com, "In condo association, how do you define a nuisance?," 1 May 2018 The state laws should detail a process of how officers or family members can petition a risk protection order if a court finds evidence that an individual poses a danger to themselves or others by purchasing a weapon. — Bianca Padró Ocasio, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Marco Rubio, Bill Nelson announce federal 'red flag' bill on firearms," 22 Mar. 2018 Wichinski can petition for his licenses to be reinstated after one year. — Peggy O’hare, San Antonio Express-News, "Nurse voluntarily surrenders licenses after prescriptions draw scrutiny," 27 Feb. 2018 The mini-casinos can have 300 to 750 slot machines, and proprietors also can petition for a $2.5 million license to operate up to 30 table games in the first year and 40 in the second. — Justine Mcdaniel, Philly.com, "Bids fall, but Pa. mini casino licenses worth $119.5 million so far," 23 Feb. 2018 Remember when Sense8 was canceled and fans immediately started a hashtag and petitioned the streaming service? — Hanna Lustig, Teen Vogue, "“The Kissing Booth” Sequel: Everything We Know About the Possible Movie," 12 July 2018 This draft accommodates petitioning players who did not declare for the traditional spring draft or whose college circumstances changed because of NCAA discipline and/or academic troubles. — Bob Mcmanaman, azcentral, "Cardinals could be players in NFL supplementary draft because of available defensive backs," 10 July 2018 There, too, judges older than the retirement cutoff could petition the minister of justice, who would effectively vet them. — Monika Nalepa, Washington Post, "Poland may forcibly ‘retire’ dozens of Supreme Court justices," 10 July 2018 Given that the margin between Olszewski and Brochin is less than 0.1 percent, a candidate petitioning for a recount would not pay the cost, according to the state’s election laws. — Pamela Wood, baltimoresun.com, "Jim Brochin to call for recount after 9-vote loss in primary for Baltimore County executive," 7 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'petition.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for petition
petition
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of petition
: to ask (a person, group, or organization) for something in a formal way
See the full definition for petition in the English Language Learners Dictionary
petition
noun
\
Kids Definition of petition
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : an earnest appeal
2 : a formal written request made to an authority
petition
verbKids Definition of petition (Entry 2 of 2)
: to make an often formal request to or for
petition
nounLegal Definition of petition
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
transitive verbLegal Definition of petition (Entry 2 of 2)
: to direct a petition to petition the court
: to make a petition petition for relief
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