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Investiture is a formal process of putting someone in an office, organization, or rank. The word "installation" usually refers to putting someone into a formal office, like one in the aristocracy, church, or government. Before the investiture, there is often a formal ceremony. For example, a British investiture is a unique ceremony in which the queen or prince of Wales gives the official medal to a person who has been given an honor. The inauguration of a president, prime minister, or a head of government is another way that a head of state can invest in his or her country. Investitures are often seen as a way for leadership to legitimize their power and influence. In medieval times, investitures were used as a way for feudal lords to transfer their land and titles to their heirs. Today, investitures are still used as a way to symbolically give someone the authority to lead.

In medieval Europe, the investiture ceremony was a key part of the feudal system. This was the ceremony in which a feudal lord (suzerain) would give a vassal either land (fief) or an office, along with a symbol of power. This symbol could be a sword, scepter, or other item that represented the suzerain's leadership and authority. In the eleventh and twelfth centuries, there was a religious argument about whether a suzerain or the pope should give an ecclesiastical vassal the signs of his power. This was known as the investiture controversy. The debate centered on whether spiritual power (represented by the ring and staff) or feudal power (represented by the sword and scepter) was more important in leadership positions. Ultimately, this debate helped to shape the leadership structure of medieval Europe.