invent

verb

in·vent | \ in-ˈvent

invented; inventing; invents

Definition of invent

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

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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 on the Web

Then the treatment is topped off with LED light therapy (another form of therapeutic electrical stimulation invented by NASA to help heal wounds while in space) over the face once the needles have been inserted. — Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, "What Exactly Is Facial Acupuncture — And Why You Should Try It," 6 Feb. 2019 There’s a poetry to this: Scientists took the meter — an arbitrary length measurement invented by humans — and affixed it to a universal constant. — Brian Resnick, Vox, "The world is about to redefine the kilogram," 15 Nov. 2018 Floyd, who invented the heated bench, uses hollowed fiberglass and propane- or natural-gas-powered blowers running at 170,000 Btus to keep the player posteriors toasty warm. — Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, "How NFL Fields, and Players, Stay Warm for Winter Games," 16 Jan. 2019 Also, who invents these holidays? Kaitlyn and Ashley chat with one of their producers, Bridget Armstrong, and her family to get their take on hashtag holidays and their Facebook posts about them. — Ashley Carman, The Verge, "People participate in hashtag holidays if they feel a personal connection," 26 Dec. 2018 The company behind HQ Trivia, the once-viral game-show app created by the same guys who invented Vine, is facing a pivotal moment. — Kurt Wagner, Recode, "HQ Trivia was a blockbuster hit — but internal turmoil and a shrinking audience have pushed it to the brink," 5 Nov. 2018 This would have been a show that posited Caroline Rhodes as the money behind the man who invented the fanny pack. — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, "Every Single Episode of Gossip Girl, Ranked," 19 Sep. 2018 Palmer is a brilliant kid who invented Oculus, who Facebook actually purchased. — Fox News, "Kevin McCarthy leads charge against social media censorship," 30 Aug. 2018 The company that invents an innovative product spends a great deal of time and money not just developing the product, but also building a market. — Rhonda Abrams, USA TODAY, "Extra! Beware this totally fake news about small business," 13 June 2018

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.