invasion

[ in-vey-zhuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of invading or entering as an enemy, especially by an army.
2. the entrance or advent of anything troublesome or harmful, as disease.
3. entrance as if to take possession or overrun:

   the annual invasion of the resort by tourists.

4. infringement by intrusion.

invasion

/ ɪnˈveɪʒən /

noun

1. the act of invading with armed forces
2. any encroachment or intrusion

   an invasion of rats

3. the onset or advent of something harmful, esp of a disease
4. pathol the spread of cancer from its point of origin into surrounding tissues
5. the movement of plants to a new area or to an area to which they are not native

Other Words From

• prein·vasion adjective
• rein·vasion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of invasion¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin invāsīon- (stem of invāsiō ), equivalent to invās ( us ), past participle of invādere + -iōn- -ion; invade

Example Sentences

On announcing the start of his "special military operation" – the full-scale invasion of Ukraine – he had issued a warning to “those who may be tempted to interfere from the outside”.

From BBC

That occurred in May, for war crimes in connection with Russia’s nearly 3-year-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

From Los Angeles Times

Among many of those who have paid the heaviest price for Russia’s invasion, peace cannot come soon enough, even if that means further sacrifices.

From BBC

Making art does feel like an act of resistance during the Russian invasion, when Kremlin propaganda attacks the very existence of Ukrainian culture.

From New York Times

Karim Khan, the court’s chief prosecutor, requested the warrants after investigating Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023 and Israel’s subsequent bombardment and invasion of Gaza.

From New York Times

Related Words

• aggression
• assault
• breach
• incursion
• infiltration
• infringement
• intrusion
• offensive
• onslaught
• raid
• violation