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investiture

investiture

1 9.1
A formal ceremony that gives someone an official position, rank or honor with symbols like a badge
  • noun
  • /ɪnˈvɛstɪtʃər/
  • Formal
translation icon : investidura
  • The investiture of Prince Charles was a state occasion before the Welsh people at Carnarvon Castle on the 1st July, 1969.
  • investiture ceremony
  • investiture rites

Examples

  • The Imperial Crown and the robes were used only for the ceremonial investiture rather than a coronation.

    Blog text (18)
  • The ceremony also included the investiture of new mahants, the individuals responsible for supervising branch monasteries or temples.

    Academic text (2008)
  • One or more masks would also perform at the investiture of a Luluwa chief.

    Academic text (1999)
  • I told the Prince I enjoyed his investiture speech, especially the part about ethics and a crackdown.

    Blog text (4)
  • The investiture of the new mayor took place in front of a large audience.

  • During the investiture ceremony, the governor presented the new judges with their robes.

  • The investiture of the knight was marked by the handing over of the sword and cape.

Synonyms

ceremony
vsinvestiture
901 2.5

A formal event that follows traditional rules for a special occasion

is narrower, focusing on giving official position and symbolic items
inauguration
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
63 6.0

An official ceremony to mark the start of a leader's term or the opening of an important place

centres more on presenting symbols or regalia as part of the event
coronation
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
46 5.3

A ceremony where people place a crown on a new king or queen to show official power

is a broader formal appointment that gives office and symbols
ordination
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
15 7.0

A ceremony that makes someone a priest, minister, or religious leader

is broader, applying to any official position and its symbols
investment
vsinvestiture
  • Archaic
11 7.9

A formal ceremony that gives someone a rank or office, often with special clothes

is the public ceremony that gives office, rank, and symbols
installation
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
11 4.1

A ceremony that puts someone into an official job

focuses more on giving symbols and honors during that public act
inaugural
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
9 5.8

A ceremony that marks the official start of a new job, office, or event

is specifically about formally giving rank or honors during the event
observance
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
6 4.7

A formal event to mark or honor a special day

is about formally conferring office and often showing symbols of rank
enthronement
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
1 9.0

A formal ceremony that places a new king or queen on the throne

covers formal installation ceremonies in general, not only thrones
coronation ceremony
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
1 6.0

A formal event where a king or queen is officially crowned

is the wider ceremonial act of granting office and symbolic items
conferral
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
1 7.9

Giving an honor, title, or award in a formal ceremony

usually happens as a public ceremony with symbolic items
royal coronation
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
7.5

A public ceremony where people put a crown on a king or queen

is similar but applies to official appointments beyond monarchy
enthronization
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
9.8

A formal ceremony where officials place a new king or queen on the throne

is the general ceremony of giving rank or honors beyond monarchy
conferment
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
7.1

Officially giving someone an honor, degree, or award

is the public ceremonial form of that giving with regalia and rites
bestowment
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
7.7

An act of giving something important like an award or gift to someone

is the ceremonial occasion when such presentation is performed
ordainment
vsinvestiture
  • Archaic
8.5

An official act by people in power that appoints someone or makes a rule

is more about the public ritual that grants rank and regalia
solemnization
vsinvestiture
  • Formal
9.5

A formal public ceremony that makes a marriage or other rite official

is specifically the ceremony that grants an office or honor

How Formal

coronation
  • Formal
46 5.3
investiture
  • Formal
1 9.1
ceremony
901 2.5
presentation
  • Formal
15 3.2

Surface Forms

investiture singular
investitures plural

Morphology

investiture = invest (semi-transparent) = invest + iture

The noun is a standard action/result noun formed from the verb 'invest', but the ceremonial sense requires knowing the less-common meaning 'to confer authority', so it may not be immediately obvious to all learners.

Etymology

Investiture comes from the parts in- 'into' and vestire 'to dress'. So an investiture is like 'dressing' someone in special clothes or symbols when they are given a new job or rank, which is why it means the formal ceremony that gives someone an official position.