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 team accepted the invitation without hesitation. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Feb. 2026

Willie Mae’s invitation to come to church with her, which was in walking distance, was the beginning of a friendship that introduced me the Children’s Choir in her church and later being baptized in a rock pit in Opa-locka on a cold February Sunday morning. —Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

Spotify recently built a fancy podcast studio in a CIM office building on trendy Sycamore Avenue that is open by invitation-only to video creators in Spotify’s partner program. —Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026

After the application period, Summit County SAR conducts in-person interviews on an invitation-only basis. —Jayme Moye, Outside, 27 Feb. 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