Definition of invent
From the M-W Editors
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
-
Salisbury steak was originally invented by an American physician, Dr. J. H. Salisbury, who died in 1905 and was an early proponent of a low-carbohydrate diet for weight loss.
-
Technology experts can invent anything and put the blame on anyone.
-
As Eric Limer explains in Popular Mechanics: [LZW] let computers invent a whole new phrase like ‘
-
Gibson is known for inventing a method of accurately assembling multiple DNA fragments known as Gibson Assembly.
-
The same went for his 2015 comedy Mortdecai, which tried to invent a new persona for Depp to subvert (this time, the upper-class British toff).
-
Listen to commencement speakers at college graduations this season and you’ll be inspired to scale mountains, discover cures, end hunger, invent a pollution-free energy source, and write The Great American Novel.
-
China, which for years watched enviously as the West invented the software and the chips powering today’s digital age, has become a major player in artificial intelligence, what some think may be the most important technology of the future.
-
William Moulton Marston, who created Wonder Woman, also invented the lie detector test.
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
First Known Use: 15th century
INVENT Defined for English Language Learners
invent
playDefinition 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
playDefinition 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.
inventor
\-ˈvent-ər\ nounWord 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.
Law Dictionary
invent
Legal Definition of invent
: to create or produce for the first time
inventor
nounLearn More about invent
-
See words that rhyme with invent Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for invent Spanish Central: Translation of invent Nglish: Translation of invent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of invent for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up invent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!