invasion

play

noun in·va·sion \ in-ˈvā-zhən \

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

Tinley Park officials will consider installing more surveillance cameras at key intersections in the wake of a recent home invasion in the village.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Tinley considers beefing up network of surveillance cameras," 30 Aug. 2017
To be clear, the invasion of pumpkin products is all about the spice –

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Pumpkin spice season, the fall orgy for your tastebuds, is here," 25 Aug. 2017
The inmate, Marcellus Williams, 48, was convicted in 2001 in the murder of a former St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter, Lisha Gayle, who was stabbed to death during a home invasion in 1998.

— jonah engel bromwich, New York Times, "Missouri Governor Grants Stay Hours Before Execution," 22 Aug. 2017
In 1898, the United States annexed the Philippines, with a full-scale invasion and a $20 million payoff to the Spanish, who had colonized the islands for the previous 300 years.

— jonathan m. katz, The Atlantic, "The Revealing Myth of Pershing and the Pigs' Blood," 18 Aug. 2017
American minks live in Germany, but not around the lake, and the group is monitoring closely for any signs of an invasion.

— kata karáth, Science | AAAS, "Scientists think they can save the European mink—by killing its ruthless rivals," 16 Aug. 2017
That could refer to the U.S.-South Korean military drills set to begin Monday, which the North claims are rehearsals for invasion.

— foster klug and kim tong-hyung, chicagotribune.com, "Both Korean leaders, U.S. signal turn to diplomacy amid crisis," 15 Aug. 2017
To The Pathe Archives: Here is some footage of the invasion of Guam by the forces of the United States in 1944.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "This Is What Happens When Citizens Get Watchful," 11 Aug. 2017
More history: Oldham County WWII vet remembers Normandy invasionMore: Veteran shares behind-the-scene details of Battle of the Bulge Granddad also worked for L&N, in fact most of my family worked for them.

— nancy stearns theiss, The Courier-Journal, "'You’re at Home on the L&N' reminiscent of rail travel," 17 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

invasion Synonyms

Synonyms

descent, foray, incursion, inroad, raid, irruption

INVASION Defined for Kids

invasion

play

noun in·va·sion \ in-ˈvā-zhən \

Definition of invasion for Students

:an act of invading

Medical Dictionary

invasion

play

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

play

noun in·va·sion \ in-ˈvā-zhən \

legal Definition of invasion

:the act of or an instance of invading

Learn More about invasion

See words that rhyme with invasion Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for invasion Spanish Central: Translation of invasion Nglish: Translation of invasion for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of invasion for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up invasion? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

invasion

Definition of invasion

Explore Merriam-Webster

Examples of invasion in a Sentence

Recent Examples of invasion from the Web

Origin and Etymology of invasion

invasion Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to INVASION

Related Phrases

INVASION Defined for Kids

invasion

Definition of invasion for Students

Medical Dictionary

invasion

medical Definition of invasion

Law Dictionary

invasion

legal Definition of invasion

Learn More about invasion

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066