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

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

"Our bilateral relationship with France remains strong and will not be impacted by their withdrawal of the invitation to attend the G7 Summit," he added.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 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

Kim Jong Un and Lukashenko met in September in Beijing when they attended a military parade at Tiananmen Square, where the North Korean leader reportedly extended an invitation.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Ella touched the luck root in her pocket, wondering how different this all would've been had Reagan accepted her invitation too.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

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