invocation

noun

in·​vo·​ca·​tion ˌin-və-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce invocation (audio)
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 adjective
invocatory adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Organizations should carefully assess the cost trade-offs between serverless and traditional cloud services, especially when considering the frequency of invocations and potential cold start delays. Ravi Changle, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 But most of her remarks were pretty much in line with GOP orthodoxy on the border and lots of godly invocations. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024 The Nagel formulation is imperfectly worded in one way, in the apparent invocation of a comparison. Peter Godfrey-Smith, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2024 Barring a surprise invocation of the War Powers Act, Trump probably won’t court the logistical hassles of trying to kneecap his broadcast bête noires. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for invocation 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of invocation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near invocation

Cite this Entry

“Invocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invocation. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

invocation

noun
in·​vo·​ca·​tion ˌin-və-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce invocation (audio)
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 How to pronounce invocation (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

Legal Definition

invocation

noun
in·​vo·​ca·​tion ˌin-və-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce invocation (audio)
1
: a calling upon for authority or justification
2
: an act of legal implementation
an invocation of the contract clause

More from Merriam-Webster on invocation

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