prayer

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈprer 

often attributive

1

a(1)

: an address (such as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought

said a prayer for the success of the voyage

(2)

: a set order of words used in praying

b

: an earnest request or wish

2

: the act or practice of praying to God or a god

kneeling in prayer

3

: a religious service consisting chiefly of prayers

—often used in plural

4

: something prayed for

5

: a slight chance

haven't got a prayer

prayer

2 of 2

noun (2)

pray·​er ˈprā-ər 

ˈprer

: one that prays : supplicant

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• orison

Examples of prayer in a Sentence

Noun (1)

he always directed a bedside prayer to God before going to sleep

we hope that the governor will hear our prayer and do something about this pressing problem

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Please keep the entire Battie family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of heartbreak. —Daniel S. Levine, Peoplemag, 23 May 2024

So Stacy put out a call for prayers on Facebook, and the growing following answered them with donations that would take care of every one of their expenses. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2024

The movement was born during the 2014 Israel-Hamas War, when a group of young Jews organized a public recitation of the mourner’s kaddish, the Jewish prayer for the dead. —Atalia Omer, The Conversation, 21 May 2024

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with this community and all of those impacted by the recent outbreak of severe weather. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 17 May 2024

In January, amid touring with Madonna, Bob shared a photo of himself holding his mother's hand while calling for prayers from his fans. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 13 May 2024

Mourners in black and white filled the Iglesia Emmanuel Church in Baltimore’s Hawkins Point for a full night of prayer and song. —Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 11 May 2024

The day began with prayers for Nicki and her family. —Emily Wichick Hourihane and Judy Rybak, CBS News, 10 May 2024

One decried identity politics, another read a prayer for healing. —Campbell Robertson, New York Times, 10 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French priere, praiere, preiere, from Medieval Latin precaria, from Latin, feminine of precarius obtained by entreaty, from prec-, prex

Noun (2)

Middle English prayere, from prayen to pray + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing prayer

• evening prayer
• on a wing and a prayer
• prayer beads
• prayer book
• prayer mat
• prayer meeting
• prayer plant
• prayer rug
• prayer shawl
• prayer wheel

Kids Definition

prayer

noun

ˈpra(ə)r,

ˈpre(ə)r

1

: the act or practice of praying to God

a moment of silent prayer

2

a

: a set of words addressed to God

a prayer of thanksgiving

b

: an earnest request or wish : plea

3

: a religious practice consisting chiefly of prayers

had regular family prayers

Legal Definition

prayer

noun

ˈprer 

: the part of a pleading (as a complaint) that specifies the relief sought

also : a request for relief or some other action by the court