Petition vs. Application — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 7, 2024
A petition is a formal request seeking action or redress, often signed by multiple people, while an application is a formal request made individually for specific purposes like employment, education, or a permit.
Difference Between Petition and Application
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A petition is a formal plea submitted to an authority to address grievances or take specific actions. An application is an individual request for permission, enrollment, or acceptance, typically for personal or professional matters.
Petitions generally seek changes in policy or redress of issues, and are often signed by many people to show collective support. Applications, on the other hand, aim to secure specific benefits or opportunities, like jobs or licenses, through personal submissions.
Petitions typically address societal or governmental bodies, advocating for action on broad issues. Applications, in contrast, are often directed toward organizations or institutions for personal purposes, like admission or approval.
Petitions usually require supporting information, arguments, and signatures to strengthen the request. Applications involve providing personal details, qualifications, and evidence to qualify for the opportunity.
Petitions can impact public decisions, mobilizing support for or against policies. Applications, meanwhile, aim to fulfill specific criteria set by an institution or authority.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Request action or redress
Request permission or access
Signatories
Multiple people often sign
Typically submitted individually
Addressed to
Governments, organizations, authorities
Institutions, employers, licensing agencies
Content
Arguments, supporting information, signatures
Personal details, qualifications, supporting docs
Impact
Influence public policy or decisions
Secure individual benefits or opportunities
Compare with Definitions
Petition
A formal request for action or redress, signed by many people.
The citizens filed a petition demanding better road infrastructure.
Application
A formal request for a particular benefit or opportunity.
He submitted his job application along with a detailed resume.
Petition
An instrument for mobilizing public or governmental action.
The petition successfully pressured officials to reopen the park.
Application
A submission made to gain access to services or approval.
The visa application process required a lot of paperwork.
Petition
A collective request representing shared grievances.
The petition represented the views of many unhappy residents.
Application
A request seeking admission, licenses, or acceptance.
The building permit application was reviewed by the local authority.
Petition
A document to gain support for or against public measures.
The petition gathered over a thousand signatures opposing the new tax.
Application
A means to formally convey interest in specific programs or positions.
He filled out the application to volunteer at the animal shelter.
Petition
An appeal to authority for changes in law or policy.
The petition urged the city council to reduce pollution levels.
Application
An individual's personal data and qualifications provided for evaluation.
Her college application highlighted her academic achievements.
Petition
A petition is a request to do something, most commonly addressed to a government official or public entity. Petitions to a deity are a form of prayer called supplication.
Application
The act of applying.
Petition
A solemn supplication or request, especially to a superior authority; an entreaty.
Application
Something applied, such as a cosmetic or curative agent.
Petition
A formal written document requesting a right or benefit from a person or group in authority.
Application
The act of putting something to a special use or purpose
An application of a new method.
Petition
A formal written application seeking a court's intervention and action on a matter
A petition for review of a previous court's decision.
Application
A specific use to which something is put
The application of science to industry.
Petition
A pleading initiating a legal case in some civil courts
A bankruptcy petition.
Application
The capacity of being usable; relevance
Geometry has practical application in aviation and navigation.
Petition
Something requested or entreated
Granted our petition.
Application
Close attention; diligence
Shows application to her work.
Petition
To address a petition to
Petitioned the king for a pardon.
Application
A request, as for assistance, employment, or admission to a school.
Petition
To ask for by petition; request formally
Petitioned that the sentence be reduced.
Application
The form or document on which such a request is made.
Petition
To make a request, especially formally
Petitioned for retrial.
Application
(Computers) A computer program designed for a specific task or use.
Petition
A formal, written request made to an official person or organized body, often containing many signatures.
Application
Of or being a computer program designed for a specific task or use
Applications software for a missile guidance system.
Petition
A compilation of signatures built in order to exert moral authority in support of a specific cause.
We're looking to get 10,000 people to sign the petition to have the bird colony given legal protection.
Application
The act of applying or laying on, in a literal sense
The application of this cream should reduce the swelling.
Petition
(legal) A formal written request for judicial action.
Application
The substance applied.
Petition
A prayer; a supplication; an entreaty.
Application
The act of applying as a means; the employment of means to accomplish an end; specific use.
Petition
(transitive) To make a request to, commonly in written form.
The villagers petitioned the council to demolish the dangerous building.
Application
The act of directing or referring something to a particular case, to discover or illustrate agreement or disagreement, fitness, or correspondence.
I make the remark, and leave you to make the application.
The application of a theory to a set of data can be challenging.
Petition
A prayer; a supplication; an imploration; an entreaty; especially, a request of a solemn or formal kind; a prayer to the Supreme Being, or to a person of superior power, rank, or authority; also, a single clause in such a prayer.
A house of prayer and petition for thy people.
This last petition heard of all her prayer.
Application
(computing) A computer program or the set of software that the end user perceives as a single entity as a tool for a well-defined purpose. (Also called: application program; application software.)
This iPhone application can connect to most social networks.
Petition
A formal written request addressed to an official person, or to an organized body, having power to grant it; specifically (Law), a supplication to government, in either of its branches, for the granting of a particular grace or right; - in distinction from a memorial, which calls certain facts to mind; also, the written document.
Application
A verbal or written request for assistance or employment or admission to a school, course or similar.
December 31 is the deadline for MBA applications.
Petition
To make a prayer or request to; to ask from; to solicit; to entreat; especially, to make a formal written supplication, or application to, as to any branch of the government; as, to petition the court; to petition the governor.
You have . . . petitioned all the gods for my prosperity.
Application
A petition, entreaty, or other request, with the adposition for denoting the subject matter.
Their application for a deferral of the hearing was granted.
Petition
To make a petition or solicitation.
Application
The act of requesting, claiming, or petitioning something.
Petition
A formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
Application
Diligence; close thought or attention.
Petition
Reverent petition to a deity
Application
A kind of needlework; appliqué.
Petition
Write a petition for something to somebody; request formally and in writing
Application
(obsolete) Compliance.
Application
The act of applying or laying on, in a literal sense; as, the application of emollients to a diseased limb.
Application
The thing applied.
He invented a new application by which blood might be stanched.
Application
The act of applying as a means; the employment of means to accomplish an end; specific use.
If a right course . . . be taken with children, there will not be much need of the application of the common rewards and punishments.
Application
The act of directing or referring something to a particular case, to discover or illustrate agreement or disagreement, fitness, or correspondence; as, I make the remark, and leave you to make the application; the application of a theory.
Application
That part of a sermon or discourse in which the principles before laid down and illustrated are applied to practical uses; the "moral" of a fable.
Application
The capacity of being practically applied or used; relevancy; as, a rule of general application.
Application
The act of fixing the mind or closely applying one's self; assiduous effort; close attention; as, to injure the health by application to study.
Had his application been equal to his talents, his progress might have been greater.
Application
The act of making request of soliciting; as, an application for an office; he made application to a court of chancery.
Application
A request; a document containing a request; as, his application was placed on file.
Application
A verbal or written request for assistance or employment or admission to a school;
December 31 is the deadline for applications
Application
The act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose;
He advocated the application of statistics to the problem
A novel application of electronics to medical diagnosis
Application
A program that gives a computer instructions that provide the user with tools to accomplish a task;
He has tried several different word processing applications
Application
The work of applying something;
The doctor prescribed a topical application of iodine
A complete bleach requires several applications
The surface was ready for a coating of paint
Application
Liquid preparation having a soothing or antiseptic or medicinal action when applied to the skin;
A lotion for dry skin
Application
A diligent effort;
It is a job requiring serious application
Common Curiosities
What kind of information is needed for a petition?
A petition includes arguments, supporting evidence, and often signatures to demonstrate collective support.
Can an application have a collective impact?
Applications are usually personal, though their cumulative submissions may indicate trends.
What is the primary purpose of a petition?
Petitions aim to influence public or governmental action, advocating for or against specific issues.
What types of institutions receive applications?
Applications are sent to schools, employers, government agencies, or any organization offering programs or services.
Do petitions always need signatures?
Signatures aren't always required but help strengthen the request by showing collective support.
Can an application be for something beyond jobs or education?
Yes, applications can request permits, visas, licenses, or any other formal approval.
Are applications usually signed by multiple people?
No, applications are typically submitted by individuals seeking personal opportunities.
Are applications usually complex to complete?
The complexity varies based on the institution's requirements and the type of opportunity sought.
How does a petition differ from an application?
Petitions request action on broader issues, often signed by many, while applications seek individual opportunities or permissions.
What role does supporting evidence play in petitions?
Supporting evidence strengthens petitions by providing factual backing to the requests.
Do petitions always seek policy change?
While often policy-focused, petitions can also address organizational changes or community needs.
Who are petitions addressed to?
Petitions can be submitted to governments, organizations, or any authority capable of implementing requested changes.
Are petitions usually public?
Petitions are often public to gather widespread support, though private petitions may exist.
How are applications typically submitted?
Applications can be submitted online, via mail, or in person, depending on the institution's process.
How do petitions impact decision-making?
Petitions demonstrate public support or opposition, potentially influencing policymakers' decisions.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
