involve

verb in·volve \ in-ˈvälv , -ˈvȯlv also -ˈväv or -ˈvȯv \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: involve in a Sentence

Definition of involve

involved; involving

transitive verb

1 archaic : to enfold or envelop so as to encumber

2 a : to engage as a participant

workers involved in building a house

b : to oblige to take part

right of Congress to involve the nation in war

c : to occupy (someone, such as oneself) absorbingly; especially : to commit (someone) emotionally

was involved with a married man

3 : to surround as if with a wrapping : envelop

4 a archaic : to wind, coil, or wreathe about

b : to relate closely : connect

5 a : to have within or as part of itself : include

b : to require as a necessary accompaniment : entail

c : ³affect

the cancer involved the lymph nodes

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involvement

play \in-ˈvälv-mənt, -ˈvȯlv-\ noun

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involver

noun

See involve defined for English-language learners

See involve defined for kids

Examples of involve in a Sentence

He told us a story involving life on a farm.
She remained involved with the organization for many years.
Renovating the house involved hiring a contractor.
The disease continued to spread until it involved the entire jaw.

Recent Examples of involve from the Web

Dimaukom, 53, denied Duterte’s accusation that he was involved in narcotics.

— joseph hincks, Time, "Duterte is Assassinating Opponents Under the Cover of the Drug War, Philippine Rights Groups Say," 5 July 2018
Williams’ reluctance to say much seemed to begin in her first news conference here last year when she was repeatedly asked about a car accident she was involved in where a passenger in the other car died.

— sandra harwitt, USA TODAY, "Venus Williams could have plenty to say about who wins Wimbledon," 4 July 2018
The former Manchester United winger has been one of the top performers in Ligue 1 since ditching life at Old Trafford for €16m back in 2017, making 69 appearances for Lyon where he has been directly involved in 52 goals.

— SI.com, "Lyon Star Memphis Depay to Be Fined After Skipping Training Amid Links With Milan," 4 July 2018
She was involved in several roles and all phases of parish life and office work for St. Lucy Church, the library and School in Waterbury and had been a Lector there.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Josephine Foti," 4 July 2018
Evans has usually had the ball in his hands, posting a 25.6 usage percentage in his career — how often he's involved in a play while on the floor — including a career-high 28.4 last season.

— j. michael, Indianapolis Star, "What Pacers fans need to know about Tyreke Evans," 3 July 2018
Cohen also said he was not involved in any Russian meddling into the 2016 election.

— NBC News, "Michael Cohen says family, country 'have my first loyalty.' What about Trump?," 2 July 2018
That court denied Yelp’s request to void the removal order because it was not involved in that case.

— mckenna moore, Fortune, "Yelp Doesn't Have to Remove Defamatory Review, California Supreme Court Rules," 2 July 2018
The Curvy Fashionista turns ten in December, and I’ve been involved in Full Figured Fashion week from the beginning.

— lindsay peoples, The Cut, "6 Women on What Full-Figured Fashion Week Means to Them," 29 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of involve

Middle English, to roll up, wrap, from Latin involvere, from in- + volvere to roll — more at voluble

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

involve Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of involve

include, comprehend, embrace, involve mean to contain within as part of the whole. include suggests the containment of something as a constituent, component, or subordinate part of a larger whole.

- the price of dinner includes dessert

comprehend implies that something comes within the scope of a statement or definition.

- his system comprehends all history

embrace implies a gathering of separate items within a whole.

- her faith embraces both Christian and non-Christian beliefs

involve suggests inclusion by virtue of the nature of the whole, whether by being its natural or inevitable consequence.

- the new job involves a lot of detail

INVOLVE Defined for English Language Learners

involve

verb

Definition of involve for English Language Learners

: to have or include (someone or something) as a part of something
: to cause (someone) to be included in some activity, situation, etc. : to cause (someone) to take part in something
: to cause (someone) to be associated with someone or something

INVOLVE Defined for Kids

involve

verb in·volve \ in-ˈvälv , -ˈvȯlv \

Definition of involve for Students

involved; involving

1 : to draw into a situation : engage

The teacher involved her students in the project.

2 : to take part in

I'm not involved in the planning.

3 : include

The accident involved three cars.

4 : to be accompanied by

The plan involves some risk.

5 : to have or take the attention of completely

He was deeply involved in his work.

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involvement

\-mənt\ noun

Word Root of involve

The Latin word volvere, meaning “to roll” or “to turn around,” gives us the root volv. Words from the Latin volvere have something to do with turning. To revolve is to turn in circles or travel on a circular path. To evolve, or grow or develop out of something else, is to unroll from a source. To involve, or include, is to roll someone into a situation.