investment

1 of 2

noun (1)

in·​vest·​ment in-ˈves(t)-mənt 

: the outlay of money usually for income or profit : capital outlay

also : the sum invested or the property purchased

investment

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: investiture sense 1

2

: blockade, siege

3

a

: an outer layer : envelope

b

archaic : vestment

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• beleaguerment
• blockade
• leaguer
• siege

Examples of investment in a Sentence

Noun (2)

the investment of Cuba was one of the decisive moments in the Cuban Missile Crisis

the investment of a new diocesan bishop is typically a grand and solemn occasion

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This underscores the impact of Amazon’s long-term investments in infrastructure, including data centers, e-commerce tools, and logistics networks. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

That was more investment than any other current Big 12 team besides Baylor ($9.8 million) that year. —Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 28 Mar. 2025

The economy, the Hebrew University economist Joseph Zeira says, is in severe recession—a twenty-per-cent decline in over-all investment, whose impact on unemployment is temporarily offset by a high number of reservists who have been called up for service. —Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025

For a little over 50 bucks, this is a solid investment in your cats’ well-being. —Simon Hill, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

invest entry 1

Noun (2)

invest entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1774, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Phrases Containing investment

• investment company

Rhymes for investment

• arrestment
• divestment
• disinvestment
• reinvestment

Kids Definition

investment

1 of 2 noun

in·​vest·​ment in-ˈves(t)-mənt 

1

: investiture sense 1

2

: blockade, siege

investment

2 of 2 noun

1

: the outlay of money for income or profit

2

: a sum of money invested or a property purchased

Medical Definition

investment

noun

in·​vest·​ment in-ˈves(t)-mənt 

1

: an external covering of a cell, part, or organism

2

: a layer of heat-resistant material in which a dental appliance (as a bridge or inlay) is cast or in which it is embedded before soldering

Legal Definition

investment

1 of 2 noun

in·​vest·​ment

: investiture sense 1

investment

2 of 2 noun

1

: the outlay of money usually for income or profit : capital outlay

also : the sum invested or the property purchased

2

: the commitment of funds with a view to minimizing risk and safeguarding capital while earning a return compare speculation