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 of investiture

• inauguration
• inaugural
• initiation

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 first Earl of Car-narvon in 1793, whose investiture was made by King George III him-self. —Danielle Parker, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

At Caernarfon Castle, the Queen crowned her son during his investiture ceremony to become Prince of Wales in July 1969. —Alex Apatoff, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026

According to the royal family’s website, there are about 30 investitures each year. —Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026

Trump attended the investiture ceremonies for both Justices Neil Gorsuch in 2017 and Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. —Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for investiture

• divestiture
• vestiture

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