invent

1 of 2

verb

in·​vent in-ˈvent 

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

in-ˈven-tər 

noun

inventress

in-ˈven-trəs 

noun

inventress

2 of 2

noun

in·​ven·​tress ə̇nˈven‧trə̇s 

plural -es

: a female inventor

Synonyms of invent

Verb

• devise
• concoct
• construct

Examples of invent in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

The United States invented the airplane but had no national aviation policy, and Europe was pulling ahead. — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

And more importantly, what is this anxiety so many men feel about their emotions that drives them to torturously invent bodies that bear little resemblance to the human form? — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Indeed, even after modern jeans were invented in the late 19th century, denim continued to be used to make such apparel as work jackets, prison uniforms, naval fatigues, and jumpsuits. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026

Based on a prototype that Swiss watchmaker Louis Cottier, who famously invented the world time mechanism, is believed to have made in 1954, Ref. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin inventus, past participle of invenire to come upon, find, from in- + venire to come — more at come

Noun

inventor + -ess

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing invent

• co-invent

Rhymes for invent

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event

Kids Definition

invent

verb

in·​vent in-ˈvent 

1

: to think up : make up

invent an excuse

2

: to create or produce for the first time

invented a new game

inventor

-ˈvent-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

invent

transitive verb

in·​vent

: to create or produce for the first time

inventor noun