noun

the act of convoking.
the state of being convoked.
a group of people gathered in answer to a summons; assembly.
Anglican Church. either of the two provincial synods or assemblies of the clergy.
Protestant Episcopal Church.
1. an assembly of the clergy of part of a diocese.
2. the area represented at such an assembly.
a formal assembly at a college or university, especially for a graduation ceremony.

convocation British

/ ˌkɒnvəˈkeɪʃən /

noun

a large formal assembly, esp one specifically convened
the act of convoking or state of being convoked
Church of England either of the synods of the provinces of Canterbury or York
Episcopal Church
1. an assembly of the clergy and part of the laity of a diocese
2. a district represented at such an assembly
(sometimes capital) (in some British universities) a legislative assembly composed mainly of graduates
(in India) a degree-awarding ceremony
(in Australia and New Zealand) the graduate membership of a university

"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

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.

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Vocabulary lists containing convocation

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

convocation

"We would, therefore, request the university to strongly reconsider the choice of chief guest for this convocation."

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

The 100-year-old annual honors convocation at the University of Michigan is typically a decorous affair, with a pipe organ accompanying golf-clap applause.

From New York Times ● Apr. 18, 2024

He spake of the cults of the forest demons, whose wails could be heard in the bush when the brotherhoods met in convocation.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023