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

Boasberg, an appointee of President Obama confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate, issued a temporary restraining order on Saturday against Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. —David Catanese, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025

Lawyers representing nearly 300 Venezuelans deported under President Donald Trump’s invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act say deportation flights may have come after a judge ordered the removals halted. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025

The White House did not immediately reply when asked for additional context about Trump’s invocation of the term. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2025

Trump’s invocation of the power to call up reservists could fail for a different reason. —Elizabeth Goitein, TIME, 23 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for invocation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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