invasion

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   The act of an armed force entering a country or region to take control of it.

   Grammar: Countable when referring to a specific event (an invasion); uncountable when referring to the general act (invasion was imminent).

   Patterns

   • invasion of a country
   • launch an invasion
   • an invasion force

   The invasion of the small island nation shocked the world.

   The army prepared for a full-scale invasion.

   The country has not experienced an invasion for over a century.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountablefigurative

   An unwanted entry into a place, situation, or someone's personal space.

   Grammar: Often used with 'of' to show what is being entered: an invasion of privacy, an invasion of personal space.

   Patterns

   • invasion of privacy
   • invasion of personal space
   • an invasion of tourists

   The paparazzi's constant presence felt like an invasion of privacy.

   The quiet village suffers an invasion of tourists every summer.

   He complained that the new security checks were an invasion of his personal space.

3. 3nouncountable or uncountablemedicalbiology

   The spread of something harmful or unwanted into a body, system, or area.

   Grammar: Used in medical or biological contexts, often with 'of'.

   Patterns

   • invasion of bacteria
   • invasion of cancer cells
   • invasion of the body

   The invasion of bacteria into the wound caused a serious infection.

   Doctors are studying the invasion of cancer cells into healthy tissue.

Word forms

Common combinations

launch an invasion

The dictator launched an invasion of the neighboring country.

full-scale invasion

A full-scale invasion would require thousands of troops.

invasion of privacy

Reading someone's diary is a clear invasion of privacy.

foreign invasion

The people united to resist foreign invasion.

Synonyms and how they differ

incursion

A sudden, brief entry into enemy territory, often on a smaller scale than an invasion.

raid

A short surprise attack, usually for a specific purpose like stealing or destroying, not for long-term control.

intrusion

An unwanted entry into a place or situation, often used for personal space or privacy, not military action.

Opposites

Word family

invade verb

To enter a country with armed forces, or to enter a place in large numbers.

invader noun

A person or group that invades a country.

invasive adjective

Spreading quickly and causing harm, especially of plants, animals, or medical procedures.

Commonly confused: invasion or evasion?

Practice

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