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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The action is messy and hard to follow, and a few shots seem stitched together with but a single pixel and a prayer. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2023

Throughout the evening, these four bicker, bond and unwittingly provide each other with the answer to their respective prayers. —Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2023

At the health fair, which was held Saturday and sponsored by Good Success Christian Baptist Church, Pastor Bill Bennett II walked around passing out copies of prayers based on Bible verses that emphasize service to others over selfishness. —Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023

Chubb remained on the ground for several minutes while teammates gathered in prayer nearby. —CBS News, 19 Sep. 2023

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence also tweeted out a prayer emoji expressing his well wishes. —Tim Bielik, cleveland, 18 Sep. 2023

This text features the story of the Exodus along with prayers and songs to complete the observance. —Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 17 Sep. 2023

As the prayer ended, Buys stood with tears streaming down his face. —Nikstreng, oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023

The Muslim community that had previously experienced discrimination, including voter intimidation and resistance to mosques’ public call to prayer, had finally taken its seats at the table. —Allan Lengel, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Sep. 2023

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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

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

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

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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