investment

1 of 2

noun (1)

in·​vest·​ment in-ˈves(t)-mənt How to pronounce investment (audio)
: 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
2
3
a
: an outer layer : envelope
b
archaic : vestment

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
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.
Noun
Trump’s unprecedented actions and policy flip-flops have dented U.S. credibility and confidence in its assets, and this could still result in global fund managers investing less in the U.S. markets in favor of others, explained Vasu Menon, OCBC’s managing director of the investment strategy team. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 May 2025 Investing involves risk and your investment may lose value. Jason Phillips, USA Today, 16 May 2025 As a retiree, your investments still need to last 20–30 years or more. Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Case told him the couple had $1.97 million in investments and $200,000 in a savings account at UBS Financial Services, all of which was managed by their financial advisors at Fisher Investments. Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for investment

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of investment was in 1597

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Investment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investment. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

investment

1 of 2 noun
in·​vest·​ment in-ˈves(t)-mənt How to pronounce investment (audio)

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 How to pronounce investment (audio)
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

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

More from Merriam-Webster on investment

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