invention

noun

in·​ven·​tion in-ˈven(t)-shən 

1

a

: something invented: such as

(1)

: a device, contrivance, or process originated after study and experiment

(2)

: a product of the imagination

especially : a false conception

b

: a short keyboard composition featuring two- or three-part counterpoint

2

: the act or process of inventing

3

: productive imagination : inventiveness

4

: discovery, finding

Did you know?

What is the difference between innovation and invention?

The words innovation and invention overlap semantically but are really quite distinct.

Invention can refer to a type of musical composition, a falsehood, a discovery, or any product of the imagination. The sense of invention most likely to be confused with innovation is “a device, contrivance, or process originated after study and experiment,” usually something which has not previously been in existence.

Innovation, for its part, can refer to something new or to a change made to an existing product, idea, or field. One might say that the first telephone was an invention, the first cellular telephone either an invention or an innovation, and the first smartphone an innovation.

Synonyms

• brainchild
• coinage
• concoction
• contrivance
• creation
• innovation
• wrinkle

Examples of invention in a Sentence

The light bulb was one of the most important inventions of the 19th century.

The stories he told about his military service were just inventions.

His explanation was pure invention.

Parts of the movie were accurate, but much of it was invention.

the invention of a new product

the invention of a false story

an artist with exceptional powers of invention

Recent Examples on the Web

His invention paved the way for the creation of one of Europe’s first successful commercial e-bikes, the Flyer Series C, which helped jump-start today’s worldwide craze. —Tim Neville, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2024

To those who understand the obsession, convertibles are one of the greatest inventions of all time. —Josh Max, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Many of his inventions, from hairsprings to automatic winding systems, were revolutionary and remain signatures of watchmaking to this day. —The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024

His invention was soon fitted in other buildings, mainly in the textile, film and food industries, and a few decades later in people’s homes. —Sabrina Weiss, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024

But Inoue, like Negishi, did not patent his invention, and electronics manufacturers soon began producing and marketing their own versions. —Oscar Holland, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024

The film, like the book, depicts the physicist as a scientific genius who later felt deeply conflicted about his destructive invention. —Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2024

The defibrillator, a machine that delivers a powerful jolt of electricity to a person’s heart, is one of the few 20th-century inventions that have helped improve survival rates. —Helen Ouyang, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024

Stewart said, trailing off before the show cut to a montage of O'Leary decimating Shark Tank contestants — who appear on the ABC show seeking investments for their inventions — for over-valuing their endeavors. —EW.com, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing invention

• self-invention
• necessity is the mother of invention

Kids Definition

invention

noun

in·​ven·​tion in-ˈven-chən 

1

: something invented

especially : an original device or process

2

: an imaginary story

3

: the act, process, or power of inventing

Legal Definition

invention

noun

in·​ven·​tion

: a device, process, or discovery under U.S. patent law that is new and useful, that reflects extraordinary creative ability or skill, and that makes a distinct and recognized contribution to and advancement of science

also : the act or process of creating such an invention compare aggregation, combination, equivalent