noun
petition
puh-TIHSH-uhn
noun
1
A formal written request, often signed by many people, asking an authority to act on something.
"Residents signed a petition demanding a new crossing outside the school."
"The online petition gathered over 50,000 signatures in a week."
2
A formal application to a court asking for a specific legal order, such as a divorce.
"She filed a petition for divorce after months of separation."
verb
1
To formally ask an authority or court to do something.
"The workers petitioned management for better safety equipment."
How to Use Petition
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal request — either a document people sign to demand change, or a legal filing asking a court for something.
Common pairings
sign a petition
file a petition
petition for divorce
petition the court
Word Forms
petitioned past tense, petitions plural, petitions singular
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Residents signed a _____ demanding a new crossing outside the school.
Etymology
From Old French peticiun, from Latin petitio, "a request," from petere, "to seek or ask for."