invasion

noun in·va·sion \ in-ˈvā-zhən \

Updated on: 27 May 2018

Definition of invasion

1 : an act of invading; especially : incursion of an army for conquest or plunder

2 : the incoming or spread of something usually hurtful

See invasion defined for English-language learners

See invasion defined for kids

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 of invasion from the Web

Pyongyang has long regarded U.S.–South Korea joint military exercises a rehearsal for invasion and particularly objects to the inclusion of bombers.

— Time, "South Korea's President Moon Says Talks With Kim Will Resume When U.S. Air Drills End," 24 May 2018
Pyongyang already claims that any US-South Korea military training is just practice for a future invasion of North Korea.

— alex ward, Vox, "North Korea is already getting concessions ahead of Trump-Kim talks," 18 May 2018
The other camp allows that the Iraq invasion was controversial and flawed.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Donald Trump may be best thing that ever happened to George W. Bush," 13 May 2018
Image To be a teenager during George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq was to spend a significant amount of time actively fantasizing about the president facing a war crimes tribunal at The Hague.

— New York Times, "That Feeling When You Miss the Early 2000s," 8 May 2018
The invasion of privacy investigation began after Watkins released the ex-husband’s secretly recorded audio conversation in which his former wife accused Greitens of taking the photo.

— Washington Post, "Missouri governor’s lawyers reluctant to release deposition," 28 Apr. 2018
The invasion of the pyrosomes, gelatinous, translucent tube-like creatures ranging in size from less than an inch to a foot or more, continues in force off the coast of Oregon for a second year, baffling scientists.

— ted sickinger, OregonLive.com, "Police looking for shooter after one injured in Keizer," 22 Apr. 2018
But Donato wrote in his order that an alleged invasion of privacy was injury enough to allow users to sue.

— ally marotti, chicagotribune.com, "Facebook could be forced to pay billions of dollars over alleged violations of Illinois biometrics law," 17 Apr. 2018
Zeroing in on Ibar The home invasion in Miami-Dade County was brutal.

— lisa arthur, www.feloniousflorida.com, "The Faces of the Killers," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'invasion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of invasion

Middle English invasioune, from Anglo-French invasion, from Late Latin invasion-, invasio, from Latin invadere to invade

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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invasion Synonyms

Synonyms

descent, foray, incursion, inroad, irruption, raid;

Related Words

pillage, plunder;

aggression, assault, offense (or offence), offensive, onset, onslaught, rush, siege, storm, strike;

charge, sally, sortie;

ambuscade, ambush, surprise (also surprize), trap;

air raid, blitz, blitzkrieg, bombardment;

counterassault, counterattack, counteroffensive, counterstrike;

INVASION Defined for Kids

invasion

noun in·va·sion \ in-ˈvā-zhən \

Definition of invasion for Students

: an act of invading

Medical Dictionary

invasion

noun in·va·sion \ in-ˈvā-zhən \

medical Definition of invasion

: 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

Law Dictionary

invasion

noun in·va·sion \ in-ˈvā-zhən \

legal Definition of invasion

: the act of or an instance of invading

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invasion

Definition of invasion

Examples of invasion in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of invasion

invasion Synonyms

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INVASION Defined for Kids

invasion

Definition of invasion for Students

Medical Dictionary

invasion

medical Definition of invasion

Law Dictionary

invasion

legal Definition of invasion

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