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

incantational

ˌin-ˌkan-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

incantatory

in-ˈkan-tə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

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

• abracadabra
• bewitchment
• charm
• conjuration
• enchantment
• glamour
• glamor
• hex
• invocation
• spell
• whammy

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

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

Some Trump officials touted these objectives to the point of incantation, but Trump himself rarely mentioned them. —Frances Z. Brown, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2019

Neuroscientists have charted the mind’s incantation of words that lights up the temporal lobe, the frontal lobe, ridges in the cerebral cortex, triggering impulses that transform squiggles of ink into letters, letters to words, words to sentences and meaning and comprehension and empathy. —Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024

By the final repetition, the decree had morphed into something spooky and Seussian, something in between incantation and nursery rhyme. —Emily Harnett, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English incantacioun, from Middle French incantation, from Late Latin incantation-, incantatio, from Latin incantare to enchant — more at enchant

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

incantation

noun

in·​can·​ta·​tion ˌin-ˌkan-ˈtā-shən 

: a series of words used to produce a magic spell