invent

1 of 2

verb

in·​vent in-ˈvent 

invented; inventing; invents

transitive verb

1

: to produce (something, such as a useful device or process) for the first time through the use of the imagination or of ingenious thinking and experiment

2

: to devise by thinking : fabricate

3

archaic : find, discover

inventor

in-ˈven-tər 

noun

inventress

in-ˈven-trəs 

noun

inventor

2 of 2

noun

in·​ven·​tor

variants or less commonly inventer

ə̇nˈventə(r)

plural -s

1

obsolete : one that finds or finds out : discoverer

first inventor of the nervous system

—John Freind

2

: one that conceives by creative imagination

inventor of a new ballet

one must be an inventor to read well

—S. P. Sherman

the next step is to discover what makes a man an inventor rather than a passive culture carrier

—Ralph Linton

3

: one that creates a new device or process : originator

Eli Whitney was the inventor of the cotton gin

Synonyms of invent

Verb

• devise
• concoct
• construct

Examples of invent in a Sentence

Verb

Thomas Edison invented the phonograph.

She is credited with inventing a procedure that has helped to save thousands of lives.

She invented a clever excuse.

We found out that he had invented the stories he told us about his military service.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Folks around the sport weren’t tearing their hair out trying to invent the perfect system to crown a champion. —Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 23 June 2026

Back in 1930, 1930, Pat invented the Philly steak sandwich, combining ribeye with onions on a flat top on an Italian roll. —Siafa Lewis, CBS News, 23 June 2026

The deal is the latest move by Dentsu Entertainment to build solutions at the meeting point of brands and culture, working with leading creative organizations to invent new formats and original IP. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 June 2026

Nelson dismissed questions about whether the tools that have delighted AI companies should threaten the creatives who invented the Cannes Lions event to celebrate creative ad work. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 22 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin inventus, past participle of invenire to come upon, find, from in- + venire to come — more at come

Noun

inventor from Latin, from inventus (past participle of invenire) + -or; inventer alteration (influenced by English -er entry 2) of inventor

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing invent

• co-invent

Rhymes for invent

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event

Kids Definition

invent

verb

in·​vent in-ˈvent 

1

: to think up : make up

invent an excuse

2

: to create or produce for the first time

invented a new game

inventor

-ˈvent-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

invent

transitive verb

in·​vent

: to create or produce for the first time

inventor noun