invocation

[ in-vuh-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of invoking or calling upon a deity, spirit, etc., for aid, protection, inspiration, or the like; supplication.
2. any petitioning or supplication for help or aid.
3. a form of prayer invoking God's presence, especially one said at the beginning of a religious service or public ceremony.
4. an entreaty for aid and guidance from a Muse, deity, etc., at the beginning of an epic or epiclike poem.
5. the act of calling upon a spirit by incantation.
6. the magic formula used to conjure up a spirit; incantation.
7. the act of calling upon or referring to something, as a concept or document, for support and justification in a particular circumstance.
8. the enforcing or use of a legal or moral precept or right.

invocation

/ ˌɪnvəˈkeɪʃən; -trɪ; ɪnˈvɒkətərɪ /

noun

1. the act of invoking or calling upon some agent for assistance
2. a prayer asking God for help, forgiveness, etc, esp as part of a religious service
3. an appeal for inspiration and guidance from a Muse or deity at the beginning of a poem
4. 1. the act of summoning a spirit or demon from another world by ritual incantation or magic
   2. the incantation used in this act

Derived Forms

• ˌinvoˈcational, adjective
• invocatory, adjective

Other Words From

• in·voc·a·to·ry [in-, vok, -, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• prein·vo·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of invocation¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English invocacio(u)n, from Latin invocātiōn-, stem of invocātiō “a calling upon”; invocate, -ion

Example Sentences

The irony and tragedy of Trump’s invocation of the opinion is that the court declared it was ruling not for Trump but “for the ages.”

From Los Angeles Times

But she added that “courts may strike down an invocation of the Alien Enemies Act under modern due process and equal protection law, justiciable grounds for checking abusive presidential action.”

From Los Angeles Times

Social theorist Henry Giroux explains that "Trump’s invocation of 'The Purge' marks a chilling embrace of militarized, fascist rhetoric that treats politics as all-out war, with no regard for legality, morality, or humanity":

From Salon

While Rufo, in his Politico interview, insisted the "DEI hire" invocation against Gay was "absolutely not fueled by racial animus" or sexism, it's clear the label largely comes off that way.

From Salon

Harris’ oft-repeated story of how, as a prosecutor, she always identified herself as “for the people” provided a constant, intentional invocation of the Declaration of Independence.

From Los Angeles Times