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.
Better to be parched with thirst, better to pray for pain, pain, and more pain, than to feel empty, and to feel so without truly feeling at all. Peter Nguyen, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025 The Village of Chatham and Ball Chatham Schools are going to need their populations and that of the outside world to love them, pray for them, think of them and, at the same time, give them space and respect. Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Jamie Loftus, founder of the camp, said on Facebook the community needs to pray for and be mindful of those affected by the incident. Whitney Wild, Jason Hanna and Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025 The Village of Chatham and Ball Chatham Schools are going to need their populations and that of the outside world to love them, pray for them, think of them. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 29 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Pray.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pray. Accessed 3 May. 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

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