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

The family bowed their heads, made the sign of the cross and prayed. —Maria Cramer, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025

When every studio is praying to win a best picture prize, especially in a wide-open field, every vote counts as voting nears its end on Tuesday, Feb. 18. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025

Memphis Grizzlies Admitting a mistake and moving on is far more preferable to the usual NBA move of keeping the guy around on your roster for a few extra years and hoping and praying his trade value recovers. —John Hollinger, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025

Some of the nuns prostrate themselves while praying before the Eucharist. —Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 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

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