Definition of "petition" in English

noun

1. A formal written request made by an individual or a group of people to a sovereign or political authority, often containing many signatures, soliciting some grace, right, mercy, or the redress of some wrong or grievance.

   • We're looking to get 10,000 people to sign the petition to have the bird colony given legal protection.

2. (law, by extension) A formal written application made to a magistrate or court for an order or a suit for divorce.

3. A prayer or supplication, especially of which is formal or humble and made to a deity, a sovereign, or an authority.

   • a petition to aid
   • a petition to God for courage and strength

verb

1. (transitive) To make a petition to (a sovereign or political authority).

   • The villagers petitioned the council to demolish the dangerous building.