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invocation

prayer / appeal / citation / function call
Noun
pl: invocations

This term carries a heavy sense of formality and ritual. In spiritual contexts, it describes a deliberate attempt to bridge the gap between the human and the divine, often serving as a gateway to a larger ceremony. It suggests a structured, respectful appeal rather than a casual request. In legal and technical domains, the word shifts toward a functional application of power or logic. Whether citing a constitutional right or triggering a piece of software code, the core concept remains the act of calling something into effect to achieve a specific result.

Meanings

Noun

The act of calling upon a deity, spirit, or higher power for assistance, protection, or inspiration.

"The ceremony began with a solemn invocation to the ancestors."

Noun

A prayer or a formal appeal for divine help or guidance.

"The priest offered a brief invocation before the start of the wedding."

Noun

The act of calling upon a law, rule, or specific authority to justify an action or claim.

"The lawyer's invocation of the Fifth Amendment prevented the witness from testifying."

Noun

In computer programming, the act of calling a function, subroutine, or method to execute its code.

"The program crashed during the recursive invocation of the sorting algorithm."

Related Words

Last Updated: June 14, 2026Report an Error