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

Notably, one person, without explanation, rejected the invitation to testify, though their statement to law enforcement was also considered. — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026

And yet Demna’s simulation of the real world felt more like a cartoon than an invitation. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 26 Sep. 2026

On Friday, Clemson rookie forward Ian Schieffelin signed an Exhibit 10 contract that comes with an invitation to Heat training camp, which begins on Tuesday at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

If asking the world to watch closely sounds like an invitation for pressure, RYUHEI doesn’t quite see it that way. — Crystal Bell, Rolling Stone, 25 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