invocation

noun

in·​vo·​ca·​tion ˌin-və-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of petitioning for help or support

specifically, often capitalized : a prayer of entreaty (as at the beginning of a service of worship)

b

: a calling upon for authority or justification

2

: a formula for conjuring : incantation

3

: an act of legal or moral implementation : enforcement

invocational

ˌin-və-ˈkā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

invocatory

in-ˈvä-kə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

• abracadabra
• bewitchment
• charm
• conjuration
• enchantment
• glamour
• glamor
• hex
• incantation
• spell
• whammy

Examples of invocation in a Sentence

his repeated invocations of the ancient philosophers

justifying his position by invocation of the past

The poem begins with an invocation of the Muses.

They began the meeting with an invocation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The federal government is prohibited from using the National Guard as a civilian police force (unless authorized by the invocation of a law like the Insurrection Act). —Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Apr. 2024

Rather, this boxing movie is also a work of neoclassical reckoning, in which the invocation of predecessors from the studio era gives lie to the idea of a simpler golden age. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024

The sites are angry and mournful: their invocations of peace, justice, and freedom are not banal. —Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024

Driver introductions begin at 3:05 p.m, and the invocation will be at 3:30. —Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 3 Mar. 2024

But there were just as many invocations of combat as of faith. —Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2024

In Canada, the Federal Court has ruled that the Trudeau government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act in response to the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests was unreasonable, unjustified, and unconstitutional. —Matthew Lau, National Review, 2 Feb. 2024

Critics lampooned the president for the gaffe, and some called for the invocation of the 25th Amendment. —Emma Colton, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2024

After Jones called the president of the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee to give the invocation, Sexton announced Jones would not lead the pledge. —Dakin Andone, CNN, 13 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English invocacioun, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French invocation, from Latin invocation-, invocatio, from invocare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

invocation

noun

in·​vo·​ca·​tion ˌin-və-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of asking for help or support

b

: a prayer for blessing or guidance (as at the beginning of a religious service)

2

: a formula for calling forth spirits or performing magic : incantation

invocational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Legal Definition

invocation

noun

in·​vo·​ca·​tion ˌin-və-ˈkā-shən 

1

: a calling upon for authority or justification

2

: an act of legal implementation

an invocation of the contract clause