convocation
Americannoun
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the act of convoking.
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the state of being convoked.
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a group of people gathered in answer to a summons; assembly.
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Anglican Church. either of the two provincial synods or assemblies of the clergy.
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Protestant Episcopal Church.
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an assembly of the clergy of part of a diocese.
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the area represented at such an assembly.
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a formal assembly at a college or university, especially for a graduation ceremony.
noun
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a large formal assembly, esp one specifically convened
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the act of convoking or state of being convoked
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Church of England either of the synods of the provinces of Canterbury or York
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Episcopal Church
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an assembly of the clergy and part of the laity of a diocese
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a district represented at such an assembly
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(sometimes capital) (in some British universities) a legislative assembly composed mainly of graduates
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(in India) a degree-awarding ceremony
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(in Australia and New Zealand) the graduate membership of a university
Synonym Usage
See convention.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of convocation
1350–1400; Middle English convocacio ( u ) n (< Middle French ) < Latin convocātiōn- (stem of convocātiō ). See convoke, -ation
Explanation
A convocation is a calling together of people — or it can also refer to the group that has gathered in response to the convocation. A convocation of students might protest a new dress code policy. The noun convocation stems from the Latin word convocare, meaning "to call together," which combines the prefix com-, meaning "together," and vocare, meaning "to call." A convocation — or calling together — of citizens to unite in protest may bring an end to a country's unjust government. A convocation — or assembly — of workers might gather to demand higher wages and better working conditions.
Vocabulary lists containing convocation
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
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Latin Love, Vol I: vocare
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March: Book Three
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kant on Sunday said he had "never accepted the Nalsar invitation" to be the chief guest at their convocation so the "question of me attending does not arise", Times of India reported.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
"The claims seeking to annul the registration of the federal list of candidates for the State Duma of the ninth convocation, nominated by the Yabloko political party, were granted," judge Vyacheslav Kirillov said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
In his fall 1971 convocation address at the University of Alberta, McLuhan told students that in an electronic world, people become “discarnate data, a sort of disembodied spirit coexisting and functioning simultaneously in diverse locations.”
From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2025
Lyons also won fans at the welcome convocation for new students.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2024
There are only three mortals here—Taryn, me, and the redhead with Severin—and from the way she regards us, Orlagh is imagining mice presiding over a convocation of cats.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
