prayer

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈprer 

often attributive

1

a(1)

: an address (such as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought

said a prayer for the success of the voyage

(2)

: a set order of words used in praying

b

: an earnest request or wish

2

: the act or practice of praying to God or a god

kneeling in prayer

3

: a religious service consisting chiefly of prayers

—often used in plural

4

: something prayed for

5

: a slight chance

haven't got a prayer

prayer

2 of 2

noun (2)

pray·​er ˈprā-ər 

ˈprer

: one that prays : supplicant

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• orison

Examples of prayer in a Sentence

Noun (1)

he always directed a bedside prayer to God before going to sleep

we hope that the governor will hear our prayer and do something about this pressing problem

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The 55-year-old’s ailment similarly impacted a Saturday show scheduled for the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Conn. Jodeci member Mr. Dalvin took to social media, asking followers to keep K-Ci in their prayers and promising the group would be back as soon as possible. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025

At the convent, in place of noise and action there is what the nuns call prayer, and the narrator simply calls thinking. —Lauren Christensen, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025

Fans and friends in the comments quickly shared their prayers for the actress. —Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2025

The former journalist and political pundit had reached out to THR over the weekend to say that the X post that was making headlines over that seemed to be a prayer for West was a Twitter imposter and not Censori herself, who chooses not to make any public comments or speak with the media. —Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French priere, praiere, preiere, from Medieval Latin precaria, from Latin, feminine of precarius obtained by entreaty, from prec-, prex

Noun (2)

Middle English prayere, from prayen to pray + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing prayer

• evening prayer
• on a wing and a prayer
• prayer beads
• prayer book
• prayer mat
• prayer meeting
• prayer plant
• prayer rug
• prayer shawl
• prayer wheel

Kids Definition

prayer

noun

ˈpra(ə)r,

ˈpre(ə)r

1

: the act or practice of praying to God

a moment of silent prayer

2

a

: a set of words addressed to God

a prayer of thanksgiving

b

: an earnest request or wish : plea

3

: a religious practice consisting chiefly of prayers

had regular family prayers

Legal Definition

prayer

noun

ˈprer 

: the part of a pleading (as a complaint) that specifies the relief sought

also : a request for relief or some other action by the court