WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
prayer1 /prɛr/USA pronunciation
n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- a devout request to a deity:[countable]Her prayer was that he would return home safely.
- an established formula used in praying:[countable]the Lord's Prayer.
- the act or practice of praying:[uncountable]He believed in the power of prayer.
- prayers, [plural] a religious practice consisting mainly of prayer:Did you say your prayers?
- something prayed for:[countable]Her only prayer is that she never turn old.
- a very small hope or chance:[countable* used with negative words or phrases, or in questions]We don't have a prayer of winning.
prayer1
(prâr),USA pronunciation n.
prayer′less, adj.
prayer′less•ly, adv.
prayer′less•ness, n.
pray•er2 (prā′ər),USA pronunciation n.
- a devout petition to God or an object of worship.
- a spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession.
- the act or practice of praying to God or an object of worship.
- a formula or sequence of words used in or appointed for praying:the Lord's Prayer.
- prayers, a religious observance, either public or private, consisting wholly or mainly of prayer.
- that which is prayed for.
- a petition;
entreaty. - the section of a bill in equity, or of a petition, that sets forth the complaint or the action desired.
- a negligible hope or chance:Do you think he has a prayer of getting that job?
- Medieval Latin precāria, noun, nominal use of feminine of precārius obtained by entreaty, equivalent. to prec- (stem of prex) prayer + -ārius -ary; compare precarious
- Old French
- Middle English preiere 1250–1300
prayer′less•ly, adv.
prayer′less•ness, n.
pray•er2 (prā′ər),USA pronunciation n.
- a person who prays.
- late Middle English preyare. See pray, -er1 1400–50