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

Royal honors are a longstanding tradition in the United Kingdom, with approximately 30 investitures held each year to celebrate recipients from the King’s biannual honors lists. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025

The royal family holds about 30 investitures a year as awards ceremonies for recipients of the biannual honors lists to accept their insignia and celebrate their outstanding contributions. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025

She was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1995 and promoted to Dame Commander in 2003, with her investiture held at Buckingham Palace in 2004. —Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

My family came to Washington for my investiture ceremony. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025

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