invent

verb in·vent \ in-ˈvent \

Definition of invent

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

In order to make the paintings come alive as theater, Mr. Sherman invented an art metaphor: The stage would be the canvas; the bodies the brush strokes; and the movement the paint.

— gia kourlas, New York Times, "A Living, Breathing, Stepping ‘Exhibition’ of Jacob Lawrence," 3 Nov. 2017
In the 1960s, a man named Sam Panopoulos invented the Hawaiian pizza, and thus began the most heated food debate of all time: whether pineapple should ever be on a pizza.

— evelyn wang, Teen Vogue, "Strawberry Pizza Is Going Viral Because the Internet Finds It Disgusting," 30 Oct. 2017
Boba drinks were invented in Taiwan in the early 1980s.

— eric velasco, AL.com, "Bring on the Boba: A look at the popular bubble tea trend," 25 Oct. 2017
Inspired by the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, an 11-year-old girl from Colorado invented a device that detects lead levels in water faster than other devices already on the market.

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "11-Year-Old Creates Lead-Detection Device After Being Inspired By Flint Water Crisis," 19 Oct. 2017
In the year 1675, astronomer Christiann Huygens invented a mechanism for measuring time using a combination of springs and balances.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "New Watch Mechanism Upends 342-Year-Old Tech," 14 Sep. 2017
Her paternal grandfather invented Listerine, and her father built the brand into a medicine-cabinet staple during the 1920s.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Bunny Mellon Was the One Woman Jackie Kennedy Wanted to Impress," 10 May 2017
Some of the best lessons in life were invented by Spice Girls songs.

— ilana kaplan, Billboard, "Spice Girls' 'Spiceworld' Turns 20: Remembering Their Eclectic, Theatrical Second Album," 3 Nov. 2017
Drew Ann Long invented Caroline’s Cart in honor of her special needs daughter who was diagnosed with Rett syndrome as a child.

— Southern Living, "Meet The Incredible Mother Behind Caroline's Cart," 2 Nov. 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

invent Synonyms

Phrases

come up with;

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.