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.
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
Protests unfolded at USC Thursday when students rallied outside of the Coliseum during convocation.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2024
The proposal came in response to a raucous March 24 protest that halted the school’s annual honors convocation, a 100-year-old tradition preceding the May 4 graduation.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 22, 2024
As a senior at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, Professor Hamilton participated in the first convocation for young poets at Indiana University, an event financed by the philanthropist Ruth Lilly.
From New York Times • Jun. 18, 2023
I cheered for the liberal bishops and cardinals at that great convocation.
From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez
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.
