What does conjuration mean?
Conjuration refers to the act of calling forth or summoning something — most classically a spirit or supernatural presence — through magic, ritual, or incantation. The word carries strong associations with occult tradition: medieval and Renaissance grimoires devoted entire chapters to the proper forms of conjuration, complete with protective circles and spoken formulas. In a lighter register, conjuration also describes the work of stage magicians and illusionists, whose feats of apparent creation echo the ancient sense of making something appear from nothing. Figuratively, it can suggest any remarkable act of evoking memories, images, or atmospheres as if by enchantment. Derived from the Latin verb conjurare, meaning to swear together or invoke solemnly, the word entered English through Old French in the late Middle Ages. Today it appears chiefly in literature, fantasy fiction, historical writing about magic, and descriptions of theatrical conjuring.
The act or practice of summoning a spirit or supernatural entity by magic or ritual.
"The text warned that any conjuration attempted without protection would invite disaster."
This is the oldest and most historically prominent sense.
A magic trick or feat of illusion; the art of conjuring.
"The children watched the conjuration of coins and doves with wide-eyed delight."
Common in discussions of stage magic and performance.
An earnest or solemn appeal; an invoking of something abstract.
"Her speech was less an argument than a conjuration of the nation's founding ideals."
The standard plural, used when referring to multiple acts of summoning or several magical invocations.
"The grimoire contained dozens of conjurations, each requiring its own ritual preparation."
Shakespeare's Hamlet uses it: 'by his conjuration' — but the word's Latin roots literally mean swearing together with unseen powers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of conjuration
Conjuration comes from the Latin conjuratio, derived from conjurare, meaning 'to swear together' or 'to invoke by oath' — literally com- (together) plus jurare (to swear). The term passed into English via Old French conjuracion around the fourteenth century, initially carrying religious senses of solemn invocation before becoming strongly tied to magical summoning. It shares its Latin root with words like abjure, adjure, and perjury, all built on jurare, the verb of swearing oaths.
Related word forms
How conjuration is actually used
Most often found in literary, historical, or fantasy contexts rather than everyday speech. In modern usage it can refer either to occult summoning or, more lightly, to stage magic and sleight of hand. The plural is regular.
Easily confused with conjuration
Conjecture means an opinion formed on incomplete evidence, while conjuration refers to the magical act of summoning or invoking.
Conjunctive serves to connect things (as in grammar or logic), whereas conjuration concerns magical summoning.