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

In other words, pedestrian stuff that doesn’t light up social media or earn an invitation to hold forth on one of the Beltway chat shows. —Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026

But even an invitation to hang out again, perhaps paired with a gift card to a local lunch spot, could do the trick. —Mandy Len Catron, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026

Recently, Emilia sent out invitations for her birthday party and OP's daughter was invited. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026

One player to watch in spring is 30-year-old right-hander Yunior Marté, who signed a minor-league deal with the team with an invitation to big-league camp. —C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 6 Jan. 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