invoke

[ in-vohk ]
See synonyms for invoke on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),in·voked, in·vok·ing.
  1. to call for with earnest desire; make supplication or pray for: to invoke God's mercy.

  2. to call on (a deity, Muse, etc.), as in prayer or supplication.

  1. to declare to be binding or in effect: to invoke the law;to invoke a veto.

  2. to appeal to, as for confirmation.

  3. to petition or call on for help or aid.

  4. to call forth or upon (a spirit) by incantation.

  5. Computers. to cause to be displayed, opened, or executed by clicking on a link, entering a search term, changing a parameter, etc.: Press and hold the R key to temporarily invoke the Rotate View tool, then drag your document to rotate.

  6. to cause, call forth, or bring about.

Origin of invoke

1
First recorded in 1480–90; from Latin invocāre, equivalent to in- in-2 + vocāre “to call,” akin to vōx voice

Other words from invoke

  • in·vo·ca·ble, adjective
  • in·vok·er, noun
  • re·in·voke, verb (used with object), re·in·voked, re·in·vok·ing.
  • un·in·vo·ca·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use invoke in a sentence

  • The chrysanthemums and the roses and the hardy zenias that came up uncared for were powerless to reinvoke the spirit of the place.

    The Voice of the People | Ellen Glasgow

British Dictionary definitions for invoke

invoke

/ (ɪnˈvəʊk) /


verb(tr)
  1. to call upon (an agent, esp God or another deity) for help, inspiration, etc

  2. to put (a law, penalty, etc) into use: the union invoked the dispute procedure

  1. to appeal to (an outside agent or authority) for confirmation, corroboration, etc

  2. to implore or beg (help, etc)

  3. to summon (a spirit, demon, etc); conjure up

Origin of invoke

1
C15: from Latin invocāre to call upon, appeal to, from vocāre to call

usage For invoke

Invoke is sometimes wrongly used where evoke is meant: this proposal evoked (not invoked) a strong reaction

Derived forms of invoke

  • invocable, adjective
  • invoker, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012