Legal Definitions - investiture

Definition: Investiture is a formal ceremony where a person is given the authority and symbols of a particular position or rank. This can include clothing or other insignia that represents the office they are being installed into. It is often used to refer to the installation of a religious leader.

• When the new bishop was appointed, there was an investiture ceremony where he was given his bishop's robes and staff.
• The investiture of the new president included the swearing-in ceremony and the presentation of the presidential seal.

These examples illustrate how investiture is a formal ceremony that marks the beginning of a new position or rank. It is a way of symbolically passing on authority and responsibility to the person being installed. The clothing and other symbols given during the ceremony are meant to represent the power and duties of the office, and to show that the person being installed is now officially recognized as holding that position.