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

The Democratic presidential candidate had accepted the invitation from the network for the debate, but former President Trump had declined the offer. —Erin Doherty, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024

Former President Donald Trump declined CNN’s invitation to participate in a town hall. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024

What came back was an invitation to attend the Women in Film luncheon honoring Barbra Streisand in May 1984. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Oct. 2024

About 40 other members of the Little Thunder family accepted an invitation to attend, including Karen and her first cousin Phil Little Thunder, also a great-great-grandchild of the chief. —Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

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

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