petition
B2Formal
Definition
Meaning
A formal written request, typically signed by many people, appealing to an authority in respect of a particular cause.
An official document submitted to a court requesting a legal order or judgment; a formal application or prayer.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a collective or formalized request directed at an authority with power to grant it. Often associated with democratic processes, legal proceedings, or organized campaigns.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'petition' is strongly associated with parliamentary procedure (e.g., petitions to Parliament) and local government. In US English, it is heavily used in the legal context (e.g., filing a petition with the court) and constitutional rights (e.g., the right to petition the government).
Connotations
UK: Civic engagement, local democracy. US: Legal action, First Amendment rights.
Frequency
Comparatively high frequency in both varieties, but context distribution differs as noted.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
petition for somethingpetition somebody/something (for something)petition to do somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Right of petition”
- “Petition drive”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A formal request to management or shareholders, e.g., 'The investors submitted a petition to call an extraordinary general meeting.'
Academic
In political science, refers to a mechanism of public participation and lobbying.
Everyday
Organizing or signing a document to request change, e.g., 'We started a petition to get a pedestrian crossing installed.'
Technical
In law, a formal application to a court for a specific judicial action, e.g., 'filing a petition for divorce'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Residents are petitioning the council for better recycling facilities.
- They petitioned Parliament to debate the issue.
American English
- The union petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for an election.
- She petitioned the court to modify the custody agreement.
adverb
British English
- The request was made petitionarily, through the proper channels.
- He argued petitionarily for a review.
American English
- She appealed petitionarily to the Supreme Court.
- The motion was submitted petitionarily.
adjective
British English
- The petitionary process can be lengthy.
- They awaited a petitionary response from the minister.
American English
- The petitionary brief was filed yesterday.
- He studied petitionary rights under the First Amendment.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Many people signed the petition for a new park.
- You can find the petition online.
- The community started a petition to save the local library from closing.
- They needed 500 signatures on their petition.
- After gathering sufficient signatures, the petition was formally presented to the city council.
- The lawyer filed a petition for a judicial review of the decision.
- The petition for certiorari was denied by the appellate court, exhausting their legal avenues.
- Her doctoral thesis analysed the efficacy of petitionary movements in instigating legislative change.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PETition' – imagine many people getting a PETition for their PET cause, all signing it to make a formal request.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PETITION IS A FORMAL PATHWAY TO POWER (suggesting a directed, procedural route to authority).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'петиция' in overly informal contexts where 'обращение' or 'заявление' might be more natural.
- Do not confuse with 'ходатайство' (motion/pleading) which is narrower in legal use.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'petition' as a direct synonym for a simple 'request' in casual conversation (register error).
- Incorrect preposition: 'petition against' (less common) vs. standard 'petition for'.
Practice
Quiz
In a primary legal context in the US, a 'petition' most closely refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while traditionally paper-based, online petitions are now extremely common and often legally or officially recognised.
A 'complaint' typically initiates a civil lawsuit by detailing grievances and claims for relief. A 'petition' is a broader term for any formal application to a court, which can include complaints but also requests for specific orders (e.g., name change, bankruptcy).
Yes, especially in legal contexts (e.g., a single petitioner). For public or political petitions, they are more effective and common as collective actions, but a single individual can still initiate one.
Generally, no. It serves as an expression of public support and places moral/political pressure on authorities. It may trigger official responses if it meets certain thresholds (e.g., UK Parliament petitions), but it does not by itself create a legal obligation.