invitation

American  

[in-vi-tey-shuhn] / ˌɪn vɪˈteɪ ʃən /

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.

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adjective

1. invitational.

invitation British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• preinvitation noun
• reinvitation noun

Etymology

Origin of invitation

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

Example Sentences

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is on Tuesday travelling to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

The third invitation she accepted was also sports-related: throwing out the ceremonial pitch at a Red Sox game—despite the fact that she grew up rooting for the Yankees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

"We've learnt that due to sustained pressure, France has had to withdraw its invitation to South Africa to attend the G7 meeting," Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to the president, told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Then last spring he accepted an invitation for dinner with Trump at the White House, and many heads exploded.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The day after Greeley’s article appeared, Maggie, Kate, Leah, Mother, and a few male supporters accepted an invitation to the townhome of Rev. Dr. Rufus Griswold.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

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