invent

verb

in·​vent in-ˈvent How to pronounce invent (audio)
invented; inventing; invents

transitive verb

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
inventor noun
inventress noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Vet Vendors Thoroughly There’s a lot of AI hype out there, with everyone claiming to have the greatest solution since the internet was invented. David Kelley, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 Trump administration lawyers are digging deep to find statutes that can justify the ongoing federal crackdown — including constitutional maneuvers invented to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025 Using the example of Go, a board game that became a milestone in AI history when DeepMind’s AlphaGo defeated world champions in 2016, Wolf argued that while mastering the rules of Go is impressive, the bigger challenge lies in inventing such a complex game in the first place. Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 20 June 2025 Humankind has been freed from sickness and pain after a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist, Dr. Skinner, invented a miracle cure-all drug with no apparent side effects called Hapuna. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for invent

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of invent was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Invent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invent. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

invent

verb
in·​vent in-ˈvent How to pronounce invent (audio)
1
: to think up : make up
invent an excuse
2
: to create or produce for the first time
invented a new game
inventor noun

Legal Definition

invent

transitive verb
in·​vent
: to create or produce for the first time
inventor noun

More from Merriam-Webster on invent

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