invest

verb (1)

Save Word

in·vest | \ in-ˈvest

invested; investing; invests

Definition of invest

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to commit (money) in order to earn a financial return

2 : to make use of for future benefits or advantages invested her time wisely

3 : to involve or engage especially emotionally were deeply invested in their children's lives

intransitive verb

: to make an investment

invest

verb (2)

invested; investing; invests

Definition of invest (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 [Medieval Latin investire, from Latin, to clothe]

a : to array in the symbols of office or honor

b : to furnish with power or authority

c : to grant someone control or authority over : vest

2 : to endow with a quality : infuse

3 : to cover completely : envelop

4 : clothe, adorn

5 [Middle French investir, from Old Italian investire, from Latin, to surround] : to surround with troops or ships so as to prevent escape or entry

Other Words from invest Synonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing invest Learn More About invest

Other Words from invest

Verb (1)

investable \ in-ˈve-stə-bəl

\ adjective

investor \ in-ˈve-stər

\ noun

Examples of invest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Venture capital funding has been a common way for investors to invest in non-traditional ways. — Russ Zalatimo, Forbes, 19 May 2022 Commissioner Durryle Brooks voted against the measure, citing that the budget should invest more in mental health supports for students. — Lillian Reed, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2022 Lordstown said Foxconn would invest $100 million in the joint venture, including a $45 million loan to Lordstown. — Yang Jie, WSJ, 12 May 2022 To combat the overdose deaths, Friedman said the U.S. should invest in harm reduction and treatment programs for people with substance abuse disorders. — Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 11 May 2022 Investors can have up to 20 percent of their total 401(k) account value in a digital assets account although employers could reduce the percentage workers could invest in bitcoin. — Washington Post, 11 May 2022 For Orange Beach, the split allows the city to invest in its own school and educational system. — al, 5 May 2022 The accounts would potentially enable millions of investors to invest in crypto without needing to involve themselves with any digital asset exchange. — Colin Lodewick, Fortune, 5 May 2022 The company also said each customer will invest through a Digital Assets Account, which will be held on Fidelity’s custody platform to ensure institutional-grade security for the assets. — Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 3 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'invest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for invest

Verb (1)

Italian investire to clothe, invest money, from Latin, to clothe

Verb (2)

Latin investire to clothe, surround, from in- + vestis garment — more at wear

Learn More About invest

Dictionary Entries Near invest

in (very) bad/poor taste

invest

invest as

Statistics for invest

Cite this Entry

“Invest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invest. Accessed 28 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for invest

invest

verb

in·vest | \ in-ˈvest

invested; investing

Kids Definition of invest

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to give power or authority to

invest

verb

invested; investing

Kids Definition of invest (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to put out money in order to gain profit She invested in a business.

2 : to put out (as effort) in support of a usually worthy cause We invested time in the project.

invest

transitive verb

in·vest | \ in-ˈvest

Medical Definition of invest

1 : to envelop or cover completely the pleura invests the lung

2 : to endow with a quality or characteristic the paranoid personality who invests the external world with his … ideas and feelings — Structure & Meaning of Psychoanalysis

invest

transitive verb

in·vest | \ in-ˈvest