A more thorough explanation:

Definition: A petition in bankruptcy is a formal written request that is presented to a bankruptcy court. This request seeks protection for a debtor who is unable to pay their debts. The petition can be filed by the debtor themselves (in a voluntary bankruptcy) or by the debtor's creditors (in an involuntary bankruptcy). The purpose of the petition is to initiate a bankruptcy proceeding.

Example 1: John is a small business owner who has been struggling to pay his bills. He decides to file for bankruptcy and submits a petition to the bankruptcy court. This is an example of a voluntary petition in bankruptcy.

Example 2: Mary is a creditor of a company that owes her money. The company has not paid her back, and she decides to take legal action. She files a petition in bankruptcy on behalf of the company, which is an example of an involuntary petition in bankruptcy.

Both examples illustrate the definition of a petition in bankruptcy. In the first example, John is seeking protection for himself as a debtor. In the second example, Mary is seeking protection for herself as a creditor. In both cases, the petition is a formal request that initiates a bankruptcy proceeding.