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

• appeal (to)
• beg
• beseech
• besiege
• conjure
• entreat
• impetrate
• implore
• importune
• petition
• plead (to)
• solicit
• supplicate

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

Instead, Gazans are praying with their immediate family members in tents. —Ghada Abdulfattah, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2024

At the end of every service, churchgoers would pray at the altar to receive the Holy Spirit. —Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024

Please pray that [Jilian] and her friend Veronica are safe and that they are found quickly. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024

Church members gathered Sunday, March 31, to pray for the missing women. —Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2024

Youssef recalled getting a call from his friend Ahmed, who asked him to pray for his family in Gaza. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 31 Mar. 2024

So the Carrols and other Curry fans will just have to pray. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024

Since the accident, friends and loved ones went on social media praying and honoring his legacy. —Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 29 Mar. 2024

Purcell asked parishioners to climb the hill and pray that money would be raised to build the church. —Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2024

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

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