Definition of invocation
1a : 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
Explore M-W
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 of invocation from the Web
-
But if their dreams ever came true and Trump were to be removed, either by impeachment or through the invocation of the 25th Amendment (a rhetorical fantasy of Republican #NeverTrumpers), would things slowly get back normal?
-
St. Mary Catholic Church's Father Chris Kuhn gave the invocation, asking for prayers for those who died, their families and those currently serving.
-
Photo: Wayne Smith reads the invocation at the 2010 Cotton Row Run.
-
But his former colleagues in the Administration should not suppose that his potential invocation of the Fifth magically extends to their offices, in terms of a refusal to, for example, produce documents that Congress or investigators might require.
-
In this aspect, Sotgiu’s hypothesis departs from more run-of-the-mill invocations of genetics.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'invocation'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of invocation
Middle English invocacioun, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French invocation, from Latin invocation-, invocatio, from invocare
Other Occult Terms
INVOCATION Defined for English Language Learners
invocation
playDefinition of invocation for English Language Learners
-
: the act of mentioning or referring to someone or something in support of your ideas : the act of invoking something
-
: the act of asking for help or support especially from a god
-
: a prayer for blessing or guidance at the beginning of a service, ceremony, etc.
Law Dictionary
invocation
playLegal Definition of invocation
1 : a calling upon for authority or justification
2 : an act of legal implementation an invocation of the contract clause
Learn More about invocation
-
See words that rhyme with invocation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for invocation Spanish Central: Translation of invocation Nglish: Translation of invocation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of invocation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about invocation
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up invocation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!