invitation

noun

in·​vi·​ta·​tion ˌin-və-ˈtā-shən 

1

a

: the act of inviting

b

: an often formal request to be present or participate

2

: incentive, inducement

Examples of invitation in a Sentence

We sent out more than 100 invitations for the party.

Recent Examples on the Web

The audit reviews content as well as elements such as preheader, SMS opt-in invitation, social media and subject line Spam triggers and more. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

The generational arrival was on display on Mother’s Day this year when an open invite to a Wasian meetup in Central Park landed on the home page of the invitation app Partiful. — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

For Cocktail Parties, Barbecues, and Open Houses Not every invitation requires the same level of punctuality. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 6 Sep. 2026

This is not an artist who spent a career waiting for his first invitation. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing invitation

• at the invitation of
• by invitation only
• standing/open invitation

Rhymes for invitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

invitation

noun

in·​vi·​ta·​tion ˌin-və-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act of inviting

2

: the written, printed, or spoken expression by which a person is invited

invitational

-shnəl, 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective