incantation

UK: /ˌɪnkænˈteɪʃən/ US: /ˌɪnkænˈteɪʃən/ ,(in′kan tā′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•can•ta•tion /ˌɪnkænˈteɪʃən/   n. 

1. the chanting or saying of magical words:
   [uncountable] the incantation of odd-sounding syllables to ward off evil.
   [countable] prayers and incantations to the gods.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•can•ta•tion  (in′kan tā′shən), n. 

1. the chanting or uttering of words purporting to have magical power.
2. the formula employed; a spell or charm.
3. magical ceremonies.
4. magic;
   sorcery.
5. repetitious wordiness used to conceal a lack of content;
   obfuscation:
   Her prose too often resorts to incantation.

• Late Latin incantātiōn- (stem of incantātiō), equivalent. to incantāt(us) past participle of incantāre to put a spell on, bewitch (see enchant, -ate¹) + -iōn- -ion
• Middle English 1350–1400

in′can•ta′tion•al, in•can•ta•to•ry  (in kan′tə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē), adj.  in′can•ta′tor, n. 
Synonyms

• 4. witchcraft, black magic, wizardry.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

incantation / ˌɪnkænˈteɪʃən/ noun

1. ritual recitation of magic words or sounds
2. the formulaic words or sounds used; a magic spell

Etymology: 14th Century: from Late Latin incantātiō an enchanting, from incantāre to repeat magic formulas, from Latin, from in-² + cantāre to sing; see enchant

ˌincanˈtational adjective