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

Stagecraft and the power of political photographs With the invention of photography came a new way to view, mythologize and remember the nation's presidents. —David Morgan, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024

As Barrymore — whose tragic character could have benefited from the invention — noted as part of CBS Movie Night, Caller ID use tripled after film’s premiere in December 1996. —Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

One of the most eyebrow-raising anachronisms involves the scene in which a Roman noble is shown sipping tea in a cafe while reading the morning newspaper … 1,200 years before the invention of the printing press. —Benjamin Svetkey, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024

Join 5 others in the comments View Comments The Westminster Dog Show, first held in 1877, is America’s second-oldest continuous sporting event and predates the invention of both the lightbulb and the automobile. —Erika Tulfo, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing invention

• necessity is the mother of invention
• self-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