pray

verb

ˈprā 

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

Synonyms of pray

• beg
• petition

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

Fujimori said millions of Peruvians were praying for the pontiff’s recovery and awaiting further announcements from the Vatican. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Miami’s top Catholic leader is calling on the faithful to pray for Pope Leo XIV after he was diagnosed with lung cancer on Tuesday following a surgical procedure on his lungs. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026

Denver Archbishop James Golka also issued a statement Tuesday, thanking God for the Pope's successful surgery and encouraging Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Denver to pray for his healing. — Tori Mason, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

During the visit, the pair made history by praying together at the Sistine Chapel—the first public prayer between a British monarch and pope since Henry VIII split from Rome in 1534. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 14 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing pray

• pray tell

Rhymes for pray

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

pray

verb

ˈprā 

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