invitation

[in-vi-tey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of inviting. inviting.

2. the written or spoken form with which a person is invited.

3. something offered as a suggestion.

   an invitation to consider a business merger.

4. attraction or incentive; allurement.

5. a provocation.

   The speech was an invitation to rebellion.

adjective

1. invitational.

invitation

/ ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. 1. the act of inviting, such as an offer of entertainment or hospitality

   2. ( as modifier )

      an invitation dance

      an invitation race

2. the act of enticing or attracting; allurement

Other Word Forms

• preinvitation noun
• reinvitation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of invitation¹

1590–1600; < Latin invītātiōn- (stem of invītātiō ), equivalent to invītāt ( us ) (past participle of invītāre to invite ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney accepted an invitation to visit China extended by President Xi Jinping, signalling a "turning point" in the countries' relationship.

Read more on BBC

Wedding invitations were sent out and bridal gifts showered.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Sponsor invitations have long been used to attract attention to a tournament through a golfer who is from a well-known family or, in recent years, has a strong social media presence.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This detail points to Allen’s gleeful invitation for the listener to peer deeper.

Read more on Salon

But that is not an invitation for you to request a share.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• appeal 
• bid 
• challenge 
• date 
• encouragement 
• overture 
• petition 
• proposition 
• request 
• solicitation 
• suggestion 
• summons