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

As a shadowy figure appeared behind a curtain, the actress widened her eyes in alarm, adding another playful nod to the movie's home invasion storyline. — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

European countries have sought to diplomatically isolate the Russian leader since the invasion. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

The 90-minute telephone conversation was met alternatingly with anger and acceptance in Europe, which has largely sought to make Moscow a pariah since its 2022 invasion. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Oleshky, like a large portion of the Kherson region, has been occupied by Russian forces since the early weeks of the invasion. — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 Oct. 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