solicitation

noun

so·​lic·​i·​ta·​tion sə-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce solicitation (audio)
plural solicitations
1
formal : the practice or act or an instance of soliciting
email/telephone solicitations
Unauthorized solicitation is prohibited.
sometimes : an urgent or persistent request : entreaty, importunity
I laid the matter before him, but he was disinclined to attempt the unfamiliar task. The editors, however, renewed their solicitations. Adam Badeau †1895
2
formal : a quality or force that moves or draws : incitement, allurement
… a vigilance against the solicitations of dejection and despair.newyorker.com

Examples of solicitation in a Sentence

the mail is always full of solicitations from worthy causes
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2024, American Forests began a $10 million contract with the Fish & Wildlife Service to reforest 800 acres (including 200 the agency’s job solicitation noted was lost to the construction of a section of border wall). Laura Mallonee, Wired News, 12 Apr. 2025 Authorities arrested Victoria Goodwin, 32, on March 6 on suspicion of two felony charges: solicitation to commit murder and conspiring to commit murder, according to county court records. Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025 Victoria Goodwin, 32, was being held in the Clark County Detention Center on charges of solicitation to commit murder and conspiracy murder. Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025 Burck also represented New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft during the businessman's high-profile solicitation of prostitution case in 2019. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for solicitation

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of solicitation was circa 1520

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Cite this Entry

“Solicitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solicitation. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Legal Definition

solicitation

noun
so·​lic·​i·​ta·​tion sə-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce solicitation (audio)
: an act or practice or an instance of soliciting
solicitation of a proxy for a shareholder vote
specifically : the crime of soliciting someone to commit a crime (as murder)

More from Merriam-Webster on solicitation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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