investiture

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ture in-ˈve-stə-ˌchu̇r 

-chər, 

-ˌtyu̇r, 

-ˌtu̇r

1

: the act of establishing in office or ratifying

2

: something that covers or adorns

Did you know?

In its original meaning, an investiture was the clothing of a new officeholder in garments that symbolized power. The Middle Ages saw much debate over the investiture of bishops by kings and emperors. These rulers felt that high religious offices were theirs to give as rewards for someone's loyal service or as bribes for someone's future support; the popes, on the other hand, regarded these investitures as the improper buying and selling of church offices. The investiture struggle caused tension between popes and monarchs and even led to wars.

Synonyms of investiture

• inauguration
• inaugural
• initiation

Examples of investiture in a Sentence

the investiture of the Prince of Wales

the investiture of a new member of parliament

Recent Examples on the Web

The castle’s Waterloo Chamber, a magnificently opulent space that today is most commonly used for investitures but previously hosted theatrical and pantomime productions under Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria, was transformed into a screening room for the occasion. —Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026

Lady Beckham, whose title is courtesy of the British investiture of her husband by King Charles II, now sports the French honor all on her own. —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

The Princess Royal has reportedly been critical of William in the past for not hosting more investitures. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield marked the beginning of a historic new chapter in the city with a public investiture Friday morning at the Detroit Opera House in downtown Detroit. —Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin investitura, from investitus, past participle of investire

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for investiture

• divestiture
• vestiture

Kids Definition

investiture

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ture in-ˈves-tə-ˌchu̇r 

-chər

: a person in an office, rank, or order

investiture of the prince

: the act of establishing

Legal Definition

investiture

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ture in-ˈves-tə-ˌchu̇r, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r 

1

: the act of establishing in office

2

: livery of seisin