invasion

noun

in·​va·​sion in-ˈvā-zhən 

1

: an act of invading

especially : incursion of an army for conquest or plunder

2

: the incoming or spread of something usually hurtful

Synonyms of invasion

• incursion
• raid

Examples of invasion in a Sentence

The enemy launched an invasion.

The people live under a constant threat of invasion.

The town is gearing up for the annual tourist invasion.

protecting the house from insect invasion

Recent Examples on the Web

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, countries and organizations around the world came together to impose penalties on the Russian Federation for starting the war. — Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

In contrast, the subtle results of the new facelifts conceal serious invasion—hours of slicing and manipulating fascia, muscle, and fat. — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026

Electricity prices have skyrocketed 45% since 2019, partially driven by supply shocks tied to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the war with Iran in 2026, according to government data. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 11 July 2026

In April 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK banned the export to Russia of luxury items valued over £250 ($330), including art and antiques. — News Desk, Artforum, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English invasioun "assault, attack," borrowed from Anglo-French invasion, envasioun, borrowed from Late Latin invāsiōn-, invāsiō "attack, taking possession by violence," from Latin invādere "to enter with hostile intent, assault, attack" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at invade

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing invasion

• counter-invasion
• invasion of (someone's) privacy
• pre-invasion

Rhymes for invasion

• abrasion
• caucasian
• equation
• eurasian
• evasion
• occasion
• persuasion
• asian
• suasion
• athanasian

Kids Definition

invasion

noun

in·​va·​sion in-ˈvā-zhən 

: an act of invading

especially : entrance of an army into a country for conquest

Medical Definition

invasion

noun

in·​va·​sion in-ˈvā-zhən 

: the act of invading: as

a

: the penetration of the body of a host by a microorganism

b

: the spread and multiplication of a pathogenic microorganism or of malignant cells in the body of a host

Legal Definition

invasion

noun

in·​va·​sion in-ˈvā-zhən 

: the act of or an instance of invading