3 syllables: Pe, ti, tion. Stress on ti.
puh-TISH-uhn
/pəˈtɪʃən/
Petition is pronounced puh-TISH-uhn (/pəˈtɪʃən/). It has three syllables (Pe-ti-tion), with the stress on "ti". Petition is a formal request, typically in writing, made to a person or authority. It can refer to the act of asking for a specific redress or change, or to a document containing such a request. In law and government, a petition may initiate a process or action, sometimes with signatures as support.
nounPetition is a formal request, typically in writing, made to a person or authority. It can refer to the act of asking for a specific redress or change, or to a document containing such a request. In law and government, a petition may initiate a process or action, sometimes with signatures as support.
How to Pronounce Petition
"The villagers filed a petition to prevent the closure of the local clinic."
"A petition demanding policy change circulated quickly after the debate."
"She signed a petition and delivered it to the city council."
Petition is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable: /pəˈtɪʃən/. Start with a weak schwa /pə/, then a clear /ˈtɪ/, followed by /ʃən/. It sounds like puh-TISH-un in typical American speech; keep the syllables distinct enough to avoid slurring. For practice, say ‘pet’ combined subtly into /pə/ and then the sharp /ˈtɪ/ before the soft /ʃən/. You can refer to video tutorials for auditory models and listen for the /tɪ/ vs. /tʃ/ distinction.
Two common errors are misplacing the stress and mispronouncing the middle syllable as /tɛn/ or /tiː/ instead of /ˈtɪ/. Another frequent issue is slurring /ˈtɪʃən/ into /ˈtɪʃn/ without the light vowel before /ʃ/. Correct by emphasizing the second syllable with a crisp /ˈtɪ/ and keeping the final /ən/ light and quick. Use minimal pairs and shadowing to train the exact sequence: /pə/ + /ˈtɪ/ + /ʃən/.
In US English you’ll hear /pəˈtɪʃən/ with a lighter, rhotic-unaccented final vowel. UK English often has a slightly broader vowel in /ə/ and may reduce the final /ən/ more, but the core /ˈtɪ/ remains. Australian English is similar to UK but may feature a more centralized vowel quality in the first syllable and a non-rhotic tendency in rapid speech. Across all accents, the emphasis remains on the second syllable; watch for /ə/ vs /ɪ/ in the first stressed vowel.
The difficulty centers on the shift from a light, unstressed /ə/ to the strong /ˈtɪ/ onset, followed by the lax /ən/ cluster. The /t/ before /ɪ/ can be softened in rapid speech, and the /ʃ/ in /ʃən/ may blend with adjacent sounds if not enunciated. Additionally, the middle syllable carries the main stress, which can trip speakers who expect a more even rhythm. Practice with deliberate articulation and slow speed before increasing rate.
Yes, the presence of the /ʃ/ sound in the final consonant cluster is a standout feature, as it blends with the following schwa to form /ʃən/. The second syllable carries primary stress, which is a hallmark of many English loanwords that have a nasal onset followed by a palato-alveolar fricative. The sequence /ˈtɪ/ before /ʃ/ requires careful tongue positioning so that the /t/ is released crisply and the /ʃ/ is not overshadowed by neighboring vowels.
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Petition derives from the Latin petitio, from petere meaning to seek, attack, or request. The Latin root pet- signals aiming or seeking. It entered English via Old French petition, maintaining the core sense of a formal request. In medieval and early modern usage, petitions were often handwritten pleas directed at sovereigns or institutions, accompanied by signatures or seals. Over time, the term broadened to include any formal written request to an authority and, in legal practice, to petitions filed with courts for relief or decisions. The word’s pronunciation and capitalization have remained stable across centuries, though the content and formal requirements of petitions have evolved with legal and political systems. First known use in English dates to the 14th century, with examples appearing in official records and manuscript compilations as “petitionen” or “petition.” In modern usage, petitions function as a civil process for collective voice, advocacy, or procedural steps within administrative or legal frameworks.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Petition" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Petition" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Petition"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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