prayer
1 of 2noun (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 2noun (2)
pray·er ˈprā-ər
ˈprer
: one that prays : supplicant
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- orison
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
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
Kids Definition
prayer
noun
ˈprer
1
: words spoken to God
a prayer for peace
2
: the act of praying to God
We knelt in prayer.
3
: a strong hope or wish
It's our prayer that you will return safely.
4
: a set form of words used in praying
5
: a religious service that is mostly prayers
evening prayer
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
prayer
noun
1
as in petition
an address to God or a deity he always directed a bedside prayer to God before going to sleep Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- petition
- thanksgiving
- invocation
- orison
- request
- pleading
- collect
- supplication
- begging
- vespers
- grace
- beseeching
- entreaty
- litany
- imploring
- appeal
- suit
- matins
- evensong
- soliciting
- requiescat
2
as in plea
an earnest request we hope that the governor will hear our prayer and do something about this pressing problem Synonyms & Similar Words
- plea
- appeal
- petition
- supplication
- pleading
- cry
- desire
- entreaty
- adjuration
- application
- solicitation
- suit
- suppliance
- demand
- conjuration
- call
- insistence
- requisition
- claim