investiture

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ture in-ˈve-stə-ˌchu̇r 

-chər,

-ˌtyu̇r,

-ˌtu̇r

1

: the act of establishing in office or ratifying

2

: something that covers or adorns

Did you know?

In its original meaning, an investiture was the clothing of a new officeholder in garments that symbolized power. The Middle Ages saw much debate over the investiture of bishops by kings and emperors. These rulers felt that high religious offices were theirs to give as rewards for someone's loyal service or as bribes for someone's future support; the popes, on the other hand, regarded these investitures as the improper buying and selling of church offices. The investiture struggle caused tension between popes and monarchs and even led to wars.

Synonyms

• baptism
• inaugural
• inauguration
• induction
• initiation
• installation
• installment
• instalment
• investment

Examples of investiture in a Sentence

the investiture of the Prince of Wales

the investiture of a new member of parliament

Recent Examples on the Web

The group in its ethics complaint also took aim at the unknown private funding source for Jackson’s investiture ceremony at the Library of Congress, arguing it should’ve been disclosed. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2025

Honors are typically awarded throughout the year by the King, Prince William (the Prince of Wales) or Princess Anne (the Princess Royal) during investitures at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle or the Palace of Holyroodhouse, located in Edinburgh, Scotland. —Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 31 Dec. 2024

Recipients can select when and where their respective investiture takes place, but not which specific member of the royal family will give the honor to them. —Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 31 Dec. 2024

Honorees can accept their awards from the monarch or other members of the royal family at investiture ceremonies held throughout the year, and the Red Bull Racing CEO was celebrated alongside Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan and his wife, producer Emma Thomas, at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 18. —Janine Henni, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin investitura, from investitus, past participle of investire

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

investiture

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ture in-ˈves-tə-ˌchu̇r 

-chər

: a person in an office, rank, or order

investiture of the prince

: the act of establishing

Legal Definition

investiture

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ture in-ˈves-tə-ˌchu̇r, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r 

1

: the act of establishing in office

2

: livery of seisin