invocation
noun
in·vo·ca·tion
ˌin-və-ˈkā-shən 
1
a
: the act or process of petitioning for help or support
specifically,
often Invocation
: 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
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 invocation was given by Imam Khalid Latif, the director of the Islamic Center of New York City.
—
Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
The invocation was given by Imam Khalid Latif, the director of the Islamic Center of New York City.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Imam Khalid Latif, joined by representatives of multiple faiths, offered an invocation focused on how Mamdani's coalition speaks for ordinary New Yorkers, not the wealthy or the powerful.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Some Southwestern Native Americans peoples, like the Taos Pueblo, also believe that dancing, in this case as a spiritual entreaty or invocation to the weather, might bring about cold weather and even snow, so perhaps there’s something to the tradition.
—Katrina Donham, Parents, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invocation
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Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 2 Jan. 2026
The invocation was given by Imam Khalid Latif, the director of the Islamic Center of New York City.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Imam Khalid Latif, joined by representatives of multiple faiths, offered an invocation focused on how Mamdani's coalition speaks for ordinary New Yorkers, not the wealthy or the powerful.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Some Southwestern Native Americans peoples, like the Taos Pueblo, also believe that dancing, in this case as a spiritual entreaty or invocation to the weather, might bring about cold weather and even snow, so perhaps there’s something to the tradition.
—Katrina Donham, Parents, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invocation
Cite this Entry
“Invocation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invocation. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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