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

These are the moments, the opportunities, the games every NFL youngster, backup, fringe roster player prays for. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

The new arc picks up in early fall, as the Shu clan’s southern territory prepares to host the Harvest Festival, a ritual in which the Crown Prince and the Maidens pray for a plentiful harvest. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

After a few minutes, Reed was strapped on a back board and loaded onto the cart as the entire Packers sideline surrounded him — many of them on a knee and praying. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

The space was revamped for a community to come together, pray, play and build lasting memories. — Ubah Ali, CBS News, 20 Sep. 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