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

After a tearful goodbye to his wife Athena (Angela Bassett), Bobby gets down on his knees and prays before collapsing onto the table. —Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2025

On Palm Sunday, the Vatican released a video of Francis praying and greeting a few well-wishers at St. Peter’s. —Paul Elie, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025

Lent's 40 days represents the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert before starting his public ministry. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025

Video from the scene on Thursday showed Sukkot surrounded by a group of Jewish men openly praying while an Israeli police officer walked around in the background, not disturbing or interrupting the prayer session. —Tamar Michaelis, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for pray

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

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