invent

verb in·vent \ in-ˈvent \

Definition of invent

transitive verb

1 archaic :find, discover

2 :to devise by thinking :fabricate

3 :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

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inventor

play \in-ˈven-tər\ noun

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inventress

play \in-ˈven-trəs\ noun

See invent defined for English-language learners

See invent defined for kids

Examples of invent in a Sentence

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 of invent from the Web

With Reconstruction having ended in 1877, another invented memory –

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Confederate Monuments Were Built to Change History, Not Preserve It," 17 Aug. 2017
Bud Billiken, the page's fictional editor/mascot described as the guardian and protector of children, was invented by Abbott and the Defender's executive editor, Lucius Harper.

— kori rumore, chicagotribune.com, "Bud Billiken Parade 2017: If you go," 10 Aug. 2017
Angelyne is most notable for inventing modern celebrity, which may be the most backhanded compliment ever.

— jeffrey lee puckett, The Courier-Journal, "Blonde bombshell Angelyne, the queen of celebrity, claimed Louisville was her hometown," 4 Aug. 2017
A bit disappointing to find out this transgression that is simply Not Done evolved from a petty distinction in dressing that was invented to ID the Gatsby-ish imitators ::eyes roll back in head so hard::.

— chelsea peng, Marie Claire, "Why *Can't* You Wear White After Labor Day?," 1 Aug. 2017
With Simon, Kirby invented Captain America, who debuted in 1941, and the postwar romance comics genre.

— peter rowe, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Back Story: Jack Kirby and Will Eisner's fantastic, incredible, spirited influence on Comic-Con," 16 July 2017
All that said, Amazon’s invented shopping holiday is a masterstroke.

— shira ovide, The Seattle Times, "Amazon’s well-hyped Prime Day a no-show in filings," 14 July 2017
The president of the United States and the president of France have weaponized an ancient gesture invented to signal the absence of weapons.

— uri friedman, The Atlantic, "The Trump-Macron Handshake: A Play in Four Acts," 14 July 2017
This summer, a restaurant even went as far as to invent a bikini made of pizza that retails for a whopping $10,000.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "Yandy Debuts Pizza Emoji Pasties," 14 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'invent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of invent

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

invent Synonyms

Synonyms

concoct, construct, contrive, cook (up), devise, drum up, excogitate, fabricate, make up, manufacture, think (up), trump up, vamp (up), come up with

Related Words

coin, design, hatch, produce; daydream, dream, fantasize; conceive, envisage, envision, imagine, picture, vision, visualize; ad-lib, extemporize, improvise

Near Antonyms

clone, copy, copycat, duplicate, imitate, mimic, reduplicate, replicate, reproduce

INVENT Defined for English Language Learners

invent

verb

Definition of invent for English Language Learners

: to create or produce (something useful) for the first time
: to create or make up (something, such as a story) in order to trick people

INVENT Defined for Kids

invent

verb in·vent \ in-ˈvent \

Definition of invent for Students

invented; inventing

1 :to create or produce for the first time

Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.

2 :to think up :make up

She invented an excuse for being late.

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inventor

\-ˈvent-ər\ noun

Word Root of invent

The Latin word venīre, meaning “to come,” and its form ventus give us the roots ven and vent. Words from the Latin venīre have something to do with coming. To invent is to come up with a new idea or device that no one has thought of before. To convene is to come together for a purpose. An event is an occasion when many people come together.