Definition of: petition

(pə·tish′ən) noun
1. A request, supplication, or prayer; a solemn or formal supplication.
2. A formal request, written or printed, addressed to a person in authority and asking for some grant or benefit, the redress of a grievance, etc.
3. Law A formal application in writing made to a court, requesting judicial action concerning some matter therein set forth.
4. That which is requested or supplicated.
—v.t.
1. To make a petition to; entreat.
2. To ask for.
—v.i
3. To make a petition. See synonyms under ASK, PRAY. [<OF peticiun <L petitio, -onis <petere seek; refashioned after L]
—pe·ti′tion·ar′y adjective
—pe·ti′tion·er noun Synonyms (noun): appeal, application, craving, entreaty, pleading, prayer, request, supplication. See PRAYER. Antonyms: command, demand, denial, exaction, refusal, requirement.