What does "invasion" mean?

1. (military attack) when an army enters another country by force to take control of it. 2. (unwanted entry) when people or things enter a place where they are not wanted or disturb your private life. 3. (medical/biological spread) the spread of a disease, bacteria, or cancer cells inside the body. 4. (surgical entry) the act of cutting into the skin or entering the body during a medical procedure.

How do you use "invasion"?

Often used to describe the aggressive movement of cancer cells into surrounding tissues. Commonly found in the phrase 'minimally invasive' to describe surgery with small cuts.

invasion

US //ˌɪnˈveɪʒən// UK //ɪnvˈeɪʒən// in·va·sion

1 military attack (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

when an army enters another country by force to take control of it.

the act of an armed force entering a foreign territory with the intent of conquest or regime change.

Example

The country prepared its defenses after hearing news of a possible invasion.

Example

Historians still debate whether the massive naval invasion could have been avoided through more rigorous diplomatic efforts in the preceding months.
2 unwanted entry (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

when people or things enter a place where they are not wanted or disturb your private life.

an unwelcome or intrusive entry into a place or a person's private affairs.

Example

The constant phone calls felt like an invasion of her privacy.

Example

The celebrity described the paparazzi's presence at the private funeral as a cruel invasion of a family's grief.
- privacy
- respect

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3 medical/biological spread (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

the spread of a disease, bacteria, or cancer cells inside the body.

the spreading of pathogenic microorganisms or malignant cells into healthy tissue or throughout an organism.

Example

Doctors were worried about the invasion of cancer cells into the nearby organs.

Example

The pathology report confirmed the invasion of the tumor into the lymphatic system, necessitating a more aggressive course of chemotherapy.

Usage

Often used to describe the aggressive movement of cancer cells into surrounding tissues.
4 surgical entry (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

the act of cutting into the skin or entering the body during a medical procedure.

the breaching of the skin barrier or entry into a body cavity during a clinical or surgical procedure.

Example

Modern surgery aims to limit the invasion of the body to help patients heal faster.

Example

The surgeon opted for a laparoscopic approach to minimize tissue invasion and reduce the risk of post-operative infection.

Usage

Commonly found in the phrase 'minimally invasive' to describe surgery with small cuts.
- penetration
- breach

Origin

From Middle French invasion, from Late Latin invāsiōnem, accusative of invāsiō.