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

: to enter for conquest or plunder

: to encroach upon : infringe

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

See invade defined for kids

Origin of INVADE

Middle English, from Latin invadere, from in- + vadere to go — more at wade

First Known Use: 15th century

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

INVADE Defined for Kids

invade

verb in·vade \in-ˈvād\

in·vad·edin·vad·ing

Definition of INVADE for Kids

: to enter by force to conquer or plunder

: 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

: 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>

: to affect injuriously and progressively <gangrene invades healthy tissue>

—in·vad·er \-ˈvād-ər\ noun

Learn More About INVADE

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "invade"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "invade"

Nglish: Translation of "invade" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "invade" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: invaginatePrevious Word in the Dictionary: invadableAll Words Near: invade

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up invade? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site