involve

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

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

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

But under the tax reform act passed last year, that deduction is gone, although companies are still permitted to deduct 50 percent of the cost of businesses meals, including those that involve entertaining clients.

— samantha bomkamp, chicagotribune.com, "Fewer ballgames. More steak dinners. Corporate entertaining changes after tax deduction goes away.," 13 Apr. 2018
One component of reading is, like math, primarily a set of skills: the part that involves decoding, or making connections between sounds and the letters that represent them.

— natalie wexler, The Atlantic, "Why American Students Haven't Gotten Better at Reading in 20 Years," 13 Apr. 2018
Farrington also helped bring about the Shops at Rivercenter mall next to Alamo Plaza, which involved the extension of the River Walk into the area where Yard House and Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse are today, Cisneros said.

— richard webner, San Antonio Express-News, "Downtown booster Bob Farrington dies," 13 Apr. 2018
According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, every day across the United States approximately nine people are killed and more than 1,000 are hurt in crashes that reportedly involve distracted driving of some sort.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin cracking down on seat belt scofflaws, distracted drivers," 12 Apr. 2018
Besides the live matches, autograph sessions and other fun booths at Axxess, the most memorable part is witnessing little interactions that involve inside jokes.

— gene guillot, NOLA.com, "The best 34 parts of an awesome WrestleMania week," 12 Apr. 2018
Bradford was arrested and charged alongside his mother and brothers as part of a multi-crime gang investigation that involved dozens of shootings carried out between two sects of the Heartless Felons gang.

— cory shaffer, cleveland.com, "Appeals court overturns 2016 conviction of Cleveland man who declared innocence at sentencing," 12 Apr. 2018
The three coordinated terrorist attacks were on top of an unrelated accident that involved several fatalities and injuries.

— naseem s. miller, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Central Florida hospitals, agencies practice for potential terrorist attack," 12 Apr. 2018
Corporate board seats are famously cushy gigs that involve, typically, attending a meeting every few weeks, max.

— bess levin, The Hive, "Poverty Scold Paul Ryan Retiring at 48 to Join the Ranks of Idle Rich," 12 Apr. 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

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.