# solicitation

/səˌɫɪsɪˈteɪʃən/ (US) · /səlˌɪsɪtˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/solicitation
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

the act of asking someone for money, help, or information. In a legal context, it often refers to offering sex for money or asking someone to commit a crime.

For teachers: the act of requesting or entreating for something; in legal contexts, the act of offering services for hire or inciting another to commit a crime.

## Examples

- The charity began a solicitation for donations.
- The office building has a strict policy against the solicitation of employees by outside sales representatives during work hours.
- The defendant was charged with solicitation after undercover officers recorded him attempting to hire a private investigator to tamper with the witness testimony.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the general activity; countable when referring to specific instances or documents.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.