petition
Transitive Verb[C/U] Both
pl: petitionspast: petitionedpp: petitioneding: petitioningcomp: nullsup: null
This word carries a strong sense of collective action and formal procedure. It is not a casual request or a plea; it is a structured demand that relies on the weight of numbers or legal standing to exert pressure on a decision-maker. In legal contexts, it takes on a more sterile, procedural tone, referring to the specific document used to start a court case or request a judicial order. Outside the courtroom, it suggests a grassroots movement or a civic struggle where the power of the people is pitted against an institution.
Countable when referring to the physical document or a specific campaign (three different petitions). Uncountable when referring to the general act of petitioning as a political process.