invention

noun

in·​ven·​tion in-ˈven(t)-shən 

1

a

: something invented: such as

(1)

: a device, contrivance, or process originated after study and experiment

(2)

: a product of the imagination

especially : a false conception

b

: a short keyboard composition featuring two- or three-part counterpoint

2

: the act or process of inventing

3

: productive imagination : inventiveness

4

: discovery, finding

Did you know?

What is the difference between innovation and invention?

The words innovation and invention overlap semantically but are really quite distinct.

Invention can refer to a type of musical composition, a falsehood, a discovery, or any product of the imagination. The sense of invention most likely to be confused with innovation is “a device, contrivance, or process originated after study and experiment,” usually something which has not previously been in existence.

Innovation, for its part, can refer to something new or to a change made to an existing product, idea, or field. One might say that the first telephone was an invention, the first cellular telephone either an invention or an innovation, and the first smartphone an innovation.

Synonyms

• brainchild
• coinage
• concoction
• contrivance
• creation
• innovation
• wrinkle

Examples of invention in a Sentence

The light bulb was one of the most important inventions of the 19th century.

The stories he told about his military service were just inventions.

His explanation was pure invention.

Parts of the movie were accurate, but much of it was invention.

the invention of a new product

the invention of a false story

an artist with exceptional powers of invention

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Recent Examples on the Web

This approach gave us agriculture, one of the most transformative cultural inventions in human history. —Shawn Walsh, Quanta Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023

Modern terrorism can be chalked up to the invention of dynamite in 1867. —Audrey Kurth Cronin, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2023

In the new film, Dexter (Thompson) is forced to return to Good Burger after his latest invention goes awry. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023

Supporters claimed one of his inventions actually flew to a height of 40 feet during a demonstration at Benning Racetrack, crashing only because of pilot error. —John Kelly, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023

From the beginning, Rowland’s invention wasn’t just a doll but a brand. —Lizzie Feidelson, The New Yorker, 17 Nov. 2023

Likewise, the 1950s and 2020s are times of rapidly changing technology and societies that are both fascinated and slightly intimidated by new inventions and the interconnected world. —Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2023

The world knows her great achievement with the invention of Liquid Paper, but that’s about it. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2023

Relatively constant temperatures and greenhouse gas concentrations enabled the development of agriculture, the construction of cities, the invention of writing and plumbing and antibiotics. —Frank Hulley-Jones, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing invention

• self-invention
• necessity is the mother of invention

• self-invention
• necessity is the mother of invention

Kids Definition

invention

noun

in·​ven·​tion in-ˈven-chən 

1

: something invented

especially : an original device or process

2

: an imaginary story

3

: the act, process, or power of inventing

Legal Definition

invention

noun

in·​ven·​tion

: a device, process, or discovery under U.S. patent law that is new and useful, that reflects extraordinary creative ability or skill, and that makes a distinct and recognized contribution to and advancement of science

also : the act or process of creating such an invention compare aggregation, combination, equivalent