pray

verb \ ˈprā \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of pray

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

See pray defined for English-language learners

See pray defined for kids

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 of pray from the Web

My husband recalls that the night before Ana’s murder consisted of the usual routine—praying with the children in English and Spanish.

— Vogue, "I Lost a Child to Gun Violence—This is What I Want for Mother’s Day," 13 May 2018
See why millions of people around the world fast and pray for a whole month.

— ashley may, USA TODAY, "Why are Muslims fasting? What you need to know about Ramadan," 11 May 2018
Let all of us who grew up watching NASCAR hope and pray that the stories are true.

— mike bianchi, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Selling NASCAR might be only way to save shrinking sport from becoming as irrelevant as horse racing," 9 May 2018
Before throwing what would be the first of 86 pitches, Tyler Cloyd — the Marlins’ mop-up man — knelt behind the mound at Wrigley Field and prayed.

— clark spencer, miamiherald, "Mopping up is no easy task. Just ask this Marlins pitcher. | Miami Herald," 8 May 2018
Most Mother Mary: Cardi B Gonna print this out and pray to it three times a day.

— emilia petrarca, The Cut, "Met Gala 2018: The Best, Worst, and Most Sacrilegious Looks," 7 May 2018
The nine encircled the small fire, held hands and prayed.

— tim prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Once prosecuted, now honored, Catonsville Nine get a memorial marker," 5 May 2018
The cringeworthy juxtaposition of evangelical leaders praying with Trump, as allegations of infidelity and hush money played out on TV, might have sunk a lesser president.

— tina nguyen, The Hive, "“The Stormy News Cycle Cancels Out Russia”: Amid the President’s Legal Chernobyl, MAGA Nation Gives Trump Two Thumbs Up," 4 May 2018
Religion was forbidden, even though Dolphins players pray on the 50 yard line before games.

— molly knight, Marie Claire, "NFL Cheerleaders Shamed for Being Too Sexy—and Not Having Sex at All," 1 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pray.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pray

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year