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pray

verb
\ ˈprā How to pronounce pray (audio) \
prayed; praying; prays

Definition of pray

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 Example Sentences Learn More about pray

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Kimbanguists must pray eight times a day, fast twice a week and attend a nine-hour church service every Sunday. — The Economist, "Kimbanguists believe Congo’s suffering is a sign of the apocalypse," 29 Aug. 2019 As the legend goes, when Ute Indians attacked this tiny Hispanic farming village, townsfolk prayed for help. — Tom Noel, The Know, "16 strange, spooky and (mostly) true Colorado stories to tell around a campfire," 24 Aug. 2019 After nine months of praying for them (ideally on a daily basis), the babies would then be born in the spring, and their birthdays would be celebrated in class with cake. — Liv Mcconnell, Teen Vogue, "What Spiritual Adoption of a Fetus in High School Really Taught Me," 23 Aug. 2019 In her application to the court, Mukherjea prays for pardon in the case in exchange of full and true disclosure. — Niharika Sharma, Quartz India, "A timeline of key events that led to the arrest of India’s former finance minister," 22 Aug. 2019 During the prayers of the faithful, a time for community prayer, parishioners prayed for what happened to the vestments, yelling from the pews. — oregonlive.com, "Reverence and resistance in one of Portland’s oldest Catholic churches," 11 Aug. 2019 But to try to avoid leaving a trail for anyone who might come looking for a missing American backpacker, John spent his time indoors, reading, praying, and practicing a punishing set of exercises. — Alex Perry, Outside Online, "The Last Days of John Allen Chau," 24 July 2019 There are no inmate gathering spaces, so volunteer ministers stop at every individual cell to pray with defendants and provide biblical readings, requiring five hours or more per visit. — Jason Pohl, ProPublica, "Deadly Delays in Jail Construction Cost Lives and Dollars Across California," 20 July 2019 Jewish people have been allowed to visit the site but have been banned from praying there. — Fox News, "Jordan parliament calls for expelling Israeli envoy, reacting to 'violations' at Jerusalem holy site, report says," 20 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pray.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of pray

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for pray

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

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More Definitions for pray

pray

verb
How to pronounce pray (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of pray

: to speak to God especially in order to give thanks or to ask for something
: to hope or wish very much for something to happen
old-fashioned : to seriously ask (someone) to do something

See the full definition for pray in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pray

verb
\ ˈprā How to pronounce pray (audio) \
prayed; praying

Kids Definition of pray

1 : to speak to God especially to give thanks or ask for something
2 : to hope or wish very much for I prayed no one would forget.
3 : to ask earnestly : beg Do not leave, I pray you.

pray

transitive verb

Legal Definition of pray

: 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

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More from Merriam-Webster on pray

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with pray

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pray

Spanish Central: Translation of pray

Nglish: Translation of pray for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of pray for Arabic Speakers

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