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

Every single one of these inane points is something federal judges might have gotten an opportunity to weigh in on had the president publicly announced an invocation of the act, as Sotomayor notes Congress requires. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2025

Boasberg scheduled another hearing in the case for April 8 to further discuss the government's argument on its invocation of the privilege. —Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2025

Moments after its invocation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that around 250 people, some allegedly members of the MS-13 and Tren de Aragua (TdA) gangs, were sent to El Salvador. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025

In its invocation, the department included declarations from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. —Conrad Hoyt, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Mar. 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