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

Goodyear offers passenger rides through charity auctions, sweepstakes, corporate partnerships and other invitations, but the opportunities are rare, with only 0.0006% of Americans able to claim they have flown in the famed blimp.

From Los Angeles Times

The Cambodian foreign minister, Prak Sokhonn, said he would meet his Thai counterpart in China’s Yunnan Province on Sunday and Monday for further talks at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

From The Wall Street Journal

The first and only response to that invitation was to ask him to put a padlock on the door to the storage room full of boxed documents.

From The Wall Street Journal

Laughing, says Prof Scott, is an invitation to play and build social bonds.

From BBC

He started the tournament 57th in the world rankings but will end the year in the top 50, which guarantees an invitation to Augusta.

From Barron's

Related Words

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