Definitions for invent
ɪnˈvɛntin·vent

Princeton's WordNet(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. invent, contrive, devise, excogitate, formulate, forge(verb)

   come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

   "excogitate a way to measure the speed of light"

2. fabricate, manufacture, cook up, make up, invent(verb)

   make up something artificial or untrue

Wiktionary(2.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. invent(Verb)

   To design a new process or mechanism.

   After weeks of hard work, I invented a new way to alphabetize matchbooks.

   Etymology: From inventen, from inventer, from inventus, perfect passive participle of invenio, from in + venio; see venture. Compare advent, covent, event, prevent, etc.

2. invent(Verb)

   To create something fictional for a particular purpose.

   Etymology: From inventen, from inventer, from inventus, perfect passive participle of invenio, from in + venio; see venture. Compare advent, covent, event, prevent, etc.

3. invent(Verb)

   To come upon; to find; to find out; to discover.

   Etymology: From inventen, from inventer, from inventus, perfect passive participle of invenio, from in + venio; see venture. Compare advent, covent, event, prevent, etc.

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Invent(verb)

   to come or light upon; to meet; to find

2. Invent(verb)

   to discover, as by study or inquiry; to find out; to devise; to contrive or produce for the first time; -- applied commonly to the discovery of some serviceable mode, instrument, or machine

3. Invent(verb)

   to frame by the imagination; to fabricate mentally; to forge; -- in a good or a bad sense; as, to invent the machinery of a poem; to invent a falsehood

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Invent

   in-vent′, v.t. to devise or contrive: to make: to frame: to fabricate: to forge.—adj. Inven′tible.—n. Inven′tion, that which is invented: contrivance: a deceit: power or faculty of inventing: ability displayed by any invention or effort of the imagination.—adj. Inven′tive, able to invent: ready in contrivance.—adv. Inven′tively.—ns. Inven′tiveness; Inven′tor, Inven′ter, one who invents or finds out something new:—fem. Inven′tress.—Invention of the Cross, a festival observed on May 3, in commemoration of the alleged discovery of the true cross at Jerusalem in 326 by Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. [Fr.,—L. invenīre, inventum—in, upon, venīre, to come.]

British National Corpus

1. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'invent' in Verbs Frequency: #752

How to pronounce invent?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say invent in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of invent in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of invent in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of invent in a Sentence

1. J. G. Ballard:

   Given that external reality is a fiction, the writer's role is almost superfluous. He does not need to invent the fiction because it is already there.

2. Denis Johnston:

   Men do not invent Myths. They only invent fables, and tell lies. True Myths create themselves, and find their expression in the men who serve their purpose.

3. Norman Cousins:

   War is an invention of the human mind. The human mind can invent peace with justice.

4. Thomas Alva Edison:

   To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.

5. Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire:

   If God did not exist it would be necessary to invent Him. But all nature cries aloud that He does exist that there is a supreme intelligence, an immense power, an admirable order, and everything teaches us our own dependence on it.

Images & Illustrations of invent

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