investiture

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ture in-ˈve-stə-ˌchu̇r 

-chər,

-ˌtyu̇r,

-ˌtu̇r

1

: the act of establishing in office or ratifying

2

: something that covers or adorns

Did you know?

In its original meaning, an investiture was the clothing of a new officeholder in garments that symbolized power. The Middle Ages saw much debate over the investiture of bishops by kings and emperors. These rulers felt that high religious offices were theirs to give as rewards for someone's loyal service or as bribes for someone's future support; the popes, on the other hand, regarded these investitures as the improper buying and selling of church offices. The investiture struggle caused tension between popes and monarchs and even led to wars.

Synonyms

• baptism
• inaugural
• inauguration
• induction
• initiation
• installation
• installment
• instalment
• investment

Examples of investiture in a Sentence

the investiture of the Prince of Wales

the investiture of a new member of parliament

Recent Examples on the Web

The Princess of Wales hugged Liz Hatton during a meeting in Windsor in October after inviting the 17-year-old to take pictures of the Prince of Wales during an investiture ceremony. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024

That investiture vote would come in the weeks after the post-election negotiations between parties. —Joseph Wilson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024

The Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance at Windsor Castle on Oct. 2 to meet a young photographer navigating cancer after the teen captured an investiture ceremony helmed by Prince William. —Janine Henni, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

The Barry Prize recipients were honored at an investiture ceremony on October 23 at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. AASL gave out its first Barry Prizes last year when the Academy was launched and its initial members inducted. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin investitura, from investitus, past participle of investire

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

investiture

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ture in-ˈves-tə-ˌchu̇r 

-chər

: a person in an office, rank, or order

investiture of the prince

: the act of establishing

Legal Definition

investiture

noun

in·​ves·​ti·​ture in-ˈves-tə-ˌchu̇r, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r 

1

: the act of establishing in office

2

: livery of seisin