invasion
noun
in·va·sion in-ˈvā-zhən 
1
: an act of invading
especially : incursion of an army for conquest or plunder
2
: the incoming or spread of something usually hurtful
Synonyms
- descent
- foray
- incursion
- inroad
- irruption
- raid
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The enemy launched an invasion. The people live under a constant threat of invasion. The town is gearing up for the annual tourist invasion. protecting the house from insect invasion
Recent Examples on the Web Blinken will visit Brussels today to continue emphasizing coordinated support for Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion. 
Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022 That effort is being complicated by an energy crisis sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine that has already nearly pushed Europe into a recession. Harold Maass, The Week, 9 Sep. 2022 Russia's invasion of Ukraine is nearing its seventh month and shows no sign of slowing down. Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 8 Sep. 2022 Russia's invasion of Ukraine made matters worse this spring, sending food and energy prices skyrocketing. Matt Egan, CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 In April, Feldman Ecopark confirmed the death of two employees who went missing in March amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Amanda Taylor, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2022 Cheniere, the largest LNG exporter in the U.S., had warned that new requirements on LNG plants in Texas and Louisiana could disrupt gas supplies to Europe, which has struggled with surging energy prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Matthew Daly, Chron, 7 Sep. 2022 Shakhtar's domestic season only recently started after a lengthy break because of Russia's invasion but the team got some help from Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi for the first goal. Mattias KarÉn, ajc, 6 Sep. 2022 Half a year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the implications of this war for the European space industry have been profound. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 6 Sep. 2022 See More
Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2022 That effort is being complicated by an energy crisis sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine that has already nearly pushed Europe into a recession. Harold Maass, The Week, 9 Sep. 2022 Russia's invasion of Ukraine is nearing its seventh month and shows no sign of slowing down. Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 8 Sep. 2022 Russia's invasion of Ukraine made matters worse this spring, sending food and energy prices skyrocketing. Matt Egan, CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 In April, Feldman Ecopark confirmed the death of two employees who went missing in March amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Amanda Taylor, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2022 Cheniere, the largest LNG exporter in the U.S., had warned that new requirements on LNG plants in Texas and Louisiana could disrupt gas supplies to Europe, which has struggled with surging energy prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Matthew Daly, Chron, 7 Sep. 2022 Shakhtar's domestic season only recently started after a lengthy break because of Russia's invasion but the team got some help from Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi for the first goal. Mattias KarÉn, ajc, 6 Sep. 2022 Half a year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the implications of this war for the European space industry have been profound. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 6 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English invasioun "assault, attack," borrowed from Anglo-French invasion, envasioun, borrowed from Late Latin invāsiōn-, invāsiō "attack, taking possession by violence," from Latin invādere "to enter with hostile intent, assault, attack" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at invade
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing invasion
Kids Definition
invasion
noun
in·va·sion in-ˈvā-zhən
: an act of invading
Medical Definition
invasion
noun
in·va·sion in-ˈvā-zhən
: the act of invading: as
a
: the penetration of the body of a host by a microorganism
b
: the spread and multiplication of a pathogenic microorganism or of malignant cells in the body of a host
Legal Definition
invasion
noun
in·va·sion in-ˈvā-zhən
: the act of or an instance of invading
invasion
noun
as in incursion
a sudden attack on and entrance into hostile territory the invasion of the Soviet Union by Germany during World War II Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- incursion
- raid
- inroad
- irruption
- onslaught
- assault
- foray
- descent
- strike
- bombardment
- siege
- aggression
- onset
- plunder
- rush
- storm
- pillage
- offensive
- ambush
- blitzkrieg
- offense
- counterattack
- sortie
- air raid
- counteroffensive
- ambuscade
- surprise
- sally
- coup de main
- offence
- blitz
- trap
- charge
- counterassault
- counteraggression
- counterstrike
- surprize