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
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
Since Trump’s invocation of the act, there have been various legal battles over the administration’s actions.
—
Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
Moments after the act's invocation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that around 250 people, some allegedly members of the MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gangs, were sent to El Salvador under a $6 million deal with its President Nayib Bukele.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Douglas appeared caught off guard by the Y’s invocation of workforce in its announcement, saying staffing had improved significantly over the past year.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025
President Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelan migrants suspected of being members of the Tren de Aragua gang quickly kicked off a legal battle.
—Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invocation
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Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
Moments after the act's invocation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that around 250 people, some allegedly members of the MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gangs, were sent to El Salvador under a $6 million deal with its President Nayib Bukele.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Douglas appeared caught off guard by the Y’s invocation of workforce in its announcement, saying staffing had improved significantly over the past year.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025
President Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelan migrants suspected of being members of the Tren de Aragua gang quickly kicked off a legal battle.
—Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 26 Mar. 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 29 Apr. 2025.
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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