pray

verb

ˈprā 

prayed; praying; prays

transitive verb

1

: entreat, implore

—often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea

pray be careful

2

: to get or bring by praying

intransitive verb

1

: to make a request in a humble manner

2

: to address God or a god with adoration, confession, supplication, or thanksgiving

Synonyms

• appeal (to)
• beg
• beseech
• besiege
• conjure
• entreat
• impetrate
• implore
• importune
• petition
• plead (to)
• solicit
• supplicate

Examples of pray in a Sentence

There's little else to do now but hope and pray.

The minister said, “Let us pray.”

He prayed that they would have the strength to go on.

He prayed that he would find a parking spot.

Recent Examples on the Web

Goodlett said the congregation was going to pray for the community, the wounded and the first responders, some of whom attend Faith Assembly, where around 275 parishioners pray each week. —Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2024

World & Nation After hostage killings, can the Israel-Hamas cease-fire talks be revived? Sept. 3, 2024 Soldiers surrounded the praying group, and clashes soon broke out, with Palestinians throwing stones and troops firing tear gas and live ammunition, Pollak said. —Julia Frankel and Aref Tufana, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024

Phoenix police interim Chief Michael Sullivan also expressed his gratitude for the entire Phoenix Police Department, while praying for the two injured officers. —Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 5 Sep. 2024

Elephants are so revered in Hinduism that the Jeeps were often getting pulled over so people could pray to the lifelike elephants and offer flowers, Ganesh said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French prier, praer, preier, from Latin precari, from prec-, prex request, prayer; akin to Old High German frāga question, frāgēn to ask, Sanskrit pṛcchati he asks

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing pray

• pray tell

Kids Definition

pray

verb

ˈprā 

1

: to ask earnestly : beg

I pray you, tell me where they went

2

: to address God with adoration, confession, pleading, or thanksgiving

Legal Definition

pray

transitive verb

: to ask for

plaintiff prays judgment against the defendants

—used especially in pleadings

intransitive verb

: to make a request of a court especially in a complaint or petition

complainant prays for declaratory relief