First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
invade
verb in·vade \in-ˈvād\
: to enter (a place, such as a foreign country) in order to take control by military force
: to enter (a place) in large numbers
: to enter or be in (a place where you are not wanted)
in·vad·edin·vad·ing
Full Definition of INVADE
transitive verb
1
: to enter for conquest or plunder
2
: to encroach upon : infringe
3
a : to spread over or into as if invading : permeate <doubts invade his mind> b : to affect injuriously and progressively <gangrene invades healthy tissue>
— in·vad·er noun
See invade defined for English-language learners
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Origin of INVADE
Middle English, from Latin invadere, from in- + vadere to go — more at wade
Related to INVADE
- Synonyms
- foray (into), overrun, raid
Synonym Discussion of INVADE
trespass, encroach, infringe, invade mean to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another. trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion <hunters trespassing on farmland>. encroach suggests gradual or stealthy entrance upon another's territory or usurpation of another's rights or possessions <the encroaching settlers displacing the native peoples>. infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative <infringing a copyright>. invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another <accused of invading their privacy>.
Rhymes with INVADE
abrade, afraid, air raid, arcade, Band-Aid, barmaid, Belgrade, blockade, bondmaid, bridesmaid, brigade, brocade, cascade, charade, clichéd, cockade, corrade, cross-trade, crusade, decade, degrade, dissuade, downgrade, evade, eyeshade, fair-trade, first aid, glissade, grenade, handmade, homemade, housemaid, inlaid, limeade, low-grade, man-made, mermaid, milkmaid, navaid, nightshade, nursemaid, old maid, parade, persuade, pervade, plain-laid, pomade, postpaid, sacheted, scalade, sea-maid, self-made, stockade, sunshade, switchblade, torsade, twayblade, twice-laid, unbraid, unlade, unmade, unpaid, upbraid, upgrade
INVADER Defined for Kids
invade
verb in·vade \in-ˈvād\
in·vad·edin·vad·ing
Definition of INVADE for Kids
1
: to enter by force to conquer or plunder
2
: to show lack of respect for <She invaded their privacy.>
— in·vad·er noun
Medical Dictionary
invade
transitive verb in·vade \in-ˈvād\
in·vad·edin·vad·ing
Medical Definition of INVADE
1
: to enter and spread within either normally (as in development) or abnormally (as in infection) often with harmful effects <protect the body from invading viruses> <branches of a nerve invade the skin area>
2
: to affect injuriously and progressively <gangrene invades healthy tissue>
—in·vad·er \-ˈvād-ər\ noun
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