investment

1 of 2

noun (1)

in·​vest·​ment in-ˈves(t)-mənt 

: the outlay of money usually for income or profit : capital outlay

also : the sum invested or the property purchased

investment

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: investiture sense 1

2

: blockade, siege

3

a

: an outer layer : envelope

b

archaic : vestment

Synonyms of investment

Noun (2)

• siege
• blockade

Examples of investment in a Sentence

Noun (2)

the investment of Cuba was one of the decisive moments in the Cuban Missile Crisis

the investment of a new diocesan bishop is typically a grand and solemn occasion

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Mimicking anti-Vietnam War demonstrators, students erected the tent encampment to call for Columbia to divest from its academic ties to Israel and its investments in weapons manufacturers and tech companies that do business with Israel’s government. —Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026

Chinese universities rise in global rankings Beijing’s massive education investments have helped to create dozens of elite institutions, pushing Chinese universities up the global rankings. —semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Reps for Paramount and the European Commission clarified that Gordon’s comments relate to approvals from the foreign direct investment (FDI) authorities for Germany and Slovenia, and don’t relate to competition. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026

The investment bank upgraded the coffee chain on Monday to a buy rating from neutral. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

invest entry 1

Noun (2)

invest entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1774, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Phrases Containing investment

• investment company

Rhymes for investment

• arrestment
• divestment
• disinvestment
• reinvestment

Kids Definition

investment

1 of 2 noun

in·​vest·​ment in-ˈves(t)-mənt 

1

: investiture sense 1

2

: blockade, siege

investment

2 of 2 noun

1

: the outlay of money for income or profit

2

: a sum of money invested or a property purchased

Medical Definition

investment

noun

in·​vest·​ment in-ˈves(t)-mənt 

1

: an external covering of a cell, part, or organism

2

: a layer of heat-resistant material in which a dental appliance (as a bridge or inlay) is cast or in which it is embedded before soldering

Legal Definition

investment

1 of 2 noun

in·​vest·​ment

: investiture sense 1

investment

2 of 2 noun

1

: the outlay of money usually for income or profit : capital outlay

also : the sum invested or the property purchased

2

: the commitment of funds with a view to minimizing risk and safeguarding capital while earning a return compare speculation