incantation

American  

[in-kan-tey-shuhn] / ˌɪn kænˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the chanting or uttering of words purporting to have magical power.

2. the formula employed; a spell or charm.

3. magical ceremonies.

4. magic; sorcery.

   Synonyms:

   wizardry, black magic, witchcraft

5. repetitious wordiness used to conceal a lack of content; obfuscation.

   Her prose too often resorts to incantation.

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incantation British  

/ ˌɪnkænˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. ritual recitation of magic words or sounds

2. the formulaic words or sounds used; a magic spell

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Other Word Forms

• incantational adjective
• incantator noun
• incantatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of incantation

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin incantātiōn- (stem of incantātiō ), equivalent to incantāt ( us ) past participle of incantāre to put a spell on, bewitch ( enchant, -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

To boost the placement of these companies’ products in AI results, Bailyn’s company plants a sort of magic incantation, known as a “brand authority statement,” on at least 10 websites.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

The culprit for the incantation was the image of the now emblematic Pale Man from “Pan’s Labyrinth,” flaunting eyes on his palms on the back cover of the DVD.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2025

Latvian folk band Tautumeitas took a more ethereal approach with their close-harmony incantation Bur Man Laimi, which literally translates as "a chant for happiness".

From BBC • May 15, 2025

Now, it sounds more like a utopian incantation: read it aloud three times on a hill under moonlight and perhaps it will come true.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2025

She turned to face the exit and began to execute a series of elaborate gestures in the air in front of her while whispering the words of some incantation.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Related Words

• enchantment
• hymn