invading

Invading, derived from invade, describes the act of entering another territory or domain with the intent to dominate, often through force, but also through rapid, pervasive encroachment. The term is used across contexts to describe incursions that disrupt or displace established order.

In political and military contexts, an invasion usually involves organized armed forces crossing borders to seek conquest, occupation, or the overthrow of a government.

Beyond warfare, the term is used in biology to describe the spread of invasive species into new ecosystems, and in medicine to describe the invasion of tissues by cancer cells. It can also refer to the intrusion into personal life or data, known as an invasion of privacy.

In international law, invasions implicate sovereignty and jus ad bellum, though enforcement varies. The consequences include displacement, casualties, economic disruption, and environmental damage, prompting humanitarian and political responses.

Historical examples at times define eras, such as medieval or modern invasions that reshaped regions, while ecological and medical invasions illustrate that invasion is a broader concept applicable beyond warfare.