1. A formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
   "The citizens submitted a petition to the city council requesting a new park";
   - request, postulation
    
2. Reverent petition to a deity
   "The monk spent hours in petition, seeking divine guidance";
   - prayer, orison [archaic]
    
3. (law) a formal written request for judicial action
   "The lawyer filed a petition for a new trial"
    
4. A compilation of signatures built in order to exert moral authority in support of a specific cause
   "The environmental group gathered thousands of signatures for their petition against deforestation"

1. Write a petition for something to somebody; request formally and in writing
   "The citizens petitioned the government for better healthcare"

Derived forms: petitioned, petitioning, petitions

Type of: ask for, asking, bespeak, call for, content, message, request, subject matter, substance

Encyclopedia: Petition