solicitation

noun

so·​lic·​i·​ta·​tion sə-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən 

plural solicitations

1

formal : the practice or act or an instance of soliciting

email/telephone solicitations

Unauthorized solicitation is prohibited.

sometimes : an urgent or persistent request : entreaty, importunity

I laid the matter before him, but he was disinclined to attempt the unfamiliar task. The editors, however, renewed their solicitations.

—Adam Badeau †1895

2

formal : a quality or force that moves or draws : incitement, allurement

… a vigilance against the solicitations of dejection and despair.

—newyorker.com

Synonyms

• adjuration
• appeal
• conjuration
• cry
• desire
• entreaty
• petition
• plea
• pleading
• prayer
• suit
• suppliance
• supplication

Examples of solicitation in a Sentence

the mail is always full of solicitations from worthy causes

Recent Examples on the Web

The inmate and the Norristown man accused of posting from the fake account are charged with criminal solicitation of murder of the first degree, conspiracy to murder of the first degree and criminal use of a communications facility, the district attorney’s office said. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2025

In May 2022, Riley pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with the solicitation. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025

He is wanted for charges of online solicitation of a minor, which allegedly occurred in 2016. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

This site is not a recommendation nor an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to buy) securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. —Andrew Rosen, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

solicitation

noun

so·​lic·​i·​ta·​tion sə-ˌli-sə-ˈtā-shən 

: an act or practice or an instance of soliciting

solicitation of a proxy for a shareholder vote

specifically : the crime of soliciting someone to commit a crime (as murder)