solicitation

noun

so·​lic·​i·​ta·​tion sə-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən 

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

Synonyms of solicitation

• plea
• appeal
• prayer
• petition

Examples of solicitation in a Sentence

the mail is always full of solicitations from worthy causes

Recent Examples on the Web

The call for ideas isn’t a professional design competition, or a solicitation of architectural blueprints, Laymon said. —Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026

The solicitation marks a stark departure for the agency, whose guidelines were previously apolitical and focused on merit. —ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026

This material should not be construed as a recommendation, or advice or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any investment. —Katie Stockton, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026

Valparaiso Police learned of the child solicitation allegations against Jovanovic on March 4 and reached out to Gary Police for more information. —Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for solicitation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Legal Definition

solicitation

noun

so·​lic·​i·​ta·​tion sə-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən 

: 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)