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

Meditation, journaling, read my Jesus Calling book, pray, drink some tea. —Jurnee Smollett, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024

Tzedek wrote letters, had meetings with the Administration and Pardon Attorney and prayed hard this day would come. —Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

People can be heard crying and screaming in the footage, while others pray for those who were killed. —Reuters, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024

Available treatments and trials Throughout Florida, hundreds — possibly thousands — of spouses are riding the highs and lows of Alzheimer’s clinical trials, hoping for the drug instead of the placebo and praying for a positive outcome for their loved one from whatever treatment is being studied. —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Dec. 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