in·vi·ta·tion 
/ˌɪnvəˈteɪʃən/ noun
plural in·vi·ta·tions /ˌɪnvəˈteɪʃən/ noun 1 [count] : a written or spoken request for someone to go somewhere or to do something
▪ We sent out more than 100 invitations for the party. ▪ He accepted/declined our invitation. ▪ an invitation to lunch/dinner ▪ a wedding invitation ▪ You have a standing/open invitation [=you are always welcome; you are always invited] to visit us any time. 2 [noncount] : the act of inviting someone
▪ She attended the fund-raiser at the invitation of the committee chairperson. [=she attended because she was invited by the committee chairperson] ▪ The event is by invitation only. [=only people who have been invited to the event can attend it] 3 [singular] : something that encourages someone to do something or that makes something more likely to happen — + to ▪ She treated his request for help as an invitation to take control of his life. ▪ Leaving valuables unattended is an (open) invitation to thieves (to steal them). ▪ His letter to the newspaper was an invitation to criticism. ▪ Speeding is an invitation to disaster/trouble.
▪ We sent out more than 100 invitations for the party. ▪ He accepted/declined our invitation. ▪ an invitation to lunch/dinner ▪ a wedding invitation ▪ You have a standing/open invitation [=you are always welcome; you are always invited] to visit us any time.
▪ She attended the fund-raiser at the invitation of the committee chairperson. [=she attended because she was invited by the committee chairperson] ▪ The event is by invitation only. [=only people who have been invited to the event can attend it]
