1. the act of calling upon a deity, spirit, or higher power for help, protection, or inspiration
Usage: religious; spiritual
2. a formal prayer or request for divine blessing, especially at the beginning of a ceremony or meeting
Usage: ceremonial
3. the act of citing or appealing to something as an authority or justification
Usage: formal

Examples

• The ceremony began with an invocation asking for divine guidance.
• The priest offered an invocation before the wedding service.
• His invocation of constitutional rights strengthened his legal argument.
• The witch's invocation was meant to summon protective spirits.
• The graduation speaker delivered a moving invocation for the new graduates.
• The lawyer's invocation of precedent convinced the judge.
• Ancient rituals often included the invocation of ancestral spirits.