What does convoke mean?
"Convoke" is a formal verb meaning to call people together for a meeting, assembly, or official gathering. When a government convokes parliament, a university convokes its faculty, or a church leader convokes a synod, someone in authority is issuing a summons that brings members into session. The word derives from the Latin convocare, formed from com- ("together") and vocare ("to call"), the same root behind "voice" and "vocal." Its closest synonym is "convene," though convoke tends to emphasize the act of authoritative summons rather than the meeting's subsequent conduct. Because of this ceremonial weight, convoke appears chiefly in parliamentary procedure, diplomacy, academia, and ecclesiastical contexts, while everyday speech favors plainer alternatives. Its noun form, "convocation," survives widely in the names of assemblies and graduation ceremonies. Though uncommon in casual conversation, it remains precise, dignified vocabulary for the formal exercise of bringing people together.
verbTo call together or summon people to a meeting, assembly, or formal gathering.
- (transitive) To call together or convene a formal meeting, assembly, council, or other gathering.
- (transitive, ecclesiastical) To summon clergy or members of a church body to a synod or council.
"The president convoked an emergency session of Congress to address the crisis."
"The monarch convoked Parliament for the first time in three years."
"In 1962, Pope John XXIII convoked the Second Vatican Council."
When the Pope speaks of calling a Vatican Council, the official Latin-flavored verb is 'convocare' — the same root that gave English 'convoke.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of convoke
"Convoke" comes from the Latin convocare, meaning "to call together," a combination of com- ("together") and vocare ("to call"), from vox ("voice"). The word entered English in the early 17th century, likely influenced by or alongside French convoquer. It shares its Latin root with "convocation" (a formal assembly), as well as with words like "vocation," "advocate," and "invoke," all tracing back to the idea of calling.
Related word forms
How convoke is actually used
"Convoke" is notably formal and is most at home in legal, parliamentary, diplomatic, and religious contexts; in everyday speech and writing, "call together," "summon," or especially "convene" are far more common. It typically takes the assembly itself as its direct object (convoking a council, not convoking people to a council). The word carries a neutral-to-dignified connotation rather than any emotional coloring.
Easily confused with convoke
'Convoke' means to call people together, while 'invoke' means to call upon something (such as a rule, authority, or spirit).
'Convoke' means to summon people into assembly, whereas 'revoke' means to officially cancel or withdraw something.