incantation
noun
in·can·ta·tion
ˌin-ˌkan-ˈtā-shən 
: a use of spells or verbal charms spoken or sung as a part of a ritual of magic
also
: a written or recited formula of words designed to produce a particular effect
Did you know?
Incantation comes directly from the Latin word incantare, "enchant". Incantare itself has cantare as a root, which reminds us that magic and ritual have always been associated with chanting and music. Incantations have often been in strange languages; "Abracadabra" is a not-so-serious version of an incantation.
Synonyms
Examples of incantation in a Sentence
trying to produce a miracle by incantation
hovering over the sick child, the witch doctor muttered mysterious incantations
Recent Examples on the Web
Plot: Dead bodies from the local cemetery come back to life after Bart utters an incantation from The Time Life Book of Magic and Spells, Vol. II.
—
Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Wanda cursed Hahn's Agatha to live out her days playing out her own distorted reality as Agnes, until a young goth horror enthusiast shows up to break the witch free with an incantation.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Oct. 2024
Alice draws a circle around Lilia uttering some sort of incantation as Patti LuPone’s witch writhes on the floor in her glittery jump suit and orange coat.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2024
Fiasco is a wonderfully musical ensemble — its members’ braided, rising harmonies at the play’s beginning suggest a ritual incantation, and every so often, characters get brief solos or duets that don’t feel too far removed from the sincere hero ballads of Disney’s golden era.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2024
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Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2024
Wanda cursed Hahn's Agatha to live out her days playing out her own distorted reality as Agnes, until a young goth horror enthusiast shows up to break the witch free with an incantation.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 10 Oct. 2024
Alice draws a circle around Lilia uttering some sort of incantation as Patti LuPone’s witch writhes on the floor in her glittery jump suit and orange coat.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2024
Fiasco is a wonderfully musical ensemble — its members’ braided, rising harmonies at the play’s beginning suggest a ritual incantation, and every so often, characters get brief solos or duets that don’t feel too far removed from the sincere hero ballads of Disney’s golden era.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incantation
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Dictionary Entries Near incantation
Cite this Entry
“Incantation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incantation. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incantation
noun
in·can·ta·tion
ˌin-ˌkan-ˈtā-shən
: a series of words used to produce a magic spell
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