An invention is a machine, device, or system that has been invented by someone.
It's been a tricky business marketing his new invention.
The spinning wheel was a Chinese invention.
Synonyms: creation, machine, device, design More Synonyms of invention
2. uncountable noun
Invention is the act of inventing something that has never been made or used before.
In 1839, the invention of photography was announced to the world.
...the invention of the telephone. [+ of]
3. variable noun
If you refer to someone's account of something as an invention, you think that it is untrue and that they have made it up.
In these and several other respects, there are many inventions and exaggerations.
The story was certainly a favourite one, but it was undoubtedly pure invention.
Synonyms: fiction, story [informal], fantasy, lie More Synonyms of invention
4. uncountable noun
Invention is the ability to invent things or to have clever and original ideas.
...his great powers of invention.
More Synonyms of invention
invention in British English
(ɪnˈvɛnʃən)
noun
1.
the act or process of inventing
2.
something that is invented
3. patent law
the discovery or production of some new or improved process or machine that is both useful and is not obvious to persons skilled in the particular field
4.
creative power or ability; inventive skill
5. euphemistic
a fabrication; lie
6.
(in traditional rhetoric) one of the five steps in preparing a speech or discourse: the process of finding suitable topics on which to talk or write
7. music
a short piece consisting of two or three parts usually in imitative counterpoint
8. sociology
the creation of a new cultural pattern or trait
Derived forms
inventional (inˈventional)
adjective
inventionless (inˈventionless)
adjective
invention in American English
(ɪnˈvɛnʃən)
noun
1.
an inventing or being invented
2.
the power of inventing; ingenuity or creativity
3.
something invented
; specif.,
a.
something thought up or mentally fabricated; esp., a falsehood
b.
something originated by experiment, etc.; new device or contrivance
4. Music
a short composition, usually for a keyboard instrument, developing a single short motif in counterpoint; esp., any of a group of these by J. S. Bach
Word origin
ME inuencioun < OFr invencion < L inventio
Examples of 'invention' in a sentence
invention
Expect energy, invention and wit.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He said:'Knowing the team here are using the most recent inventions to remove my tumour makes me feel good.
The Sun (2017)
IT'S not quite up there with the invention of the wheel.
The Sun (2012)
To my surprise most of my audience regarded the improved story as an invention and a lie.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Though not quite enough to make one regret the invention of boiling.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Diet books have a history that goes back to the invention of printing.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The game is full of wit and invention.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Can you spot which calendar is pure invention?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Why is the beauty myth a "fairly recent invention"?
Bachmann, Susan (editor) & Barth, Melinda Between Worlds: A Reader, Rhetoric and Handbook (1995)
Think lilac hair is a modern invention?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The story of discovery and invention ought to leave us with different feelings from fiction.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But the invention of the printing press changed all that.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Cities and city life are recent inventions.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The one invention that did work was a liquid that when poured on books brought their contents to life.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In another interview he said that it was the most important invention since the wheel and a major contribution to humanity.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The wit and invention is breathtaking.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Its statistics were almost pure invention.
French, David The British way in Warfare - 1688-2000 (1990)
Innovation is not invention or discovery.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGING FOR RESULTS (1986)
It seems a great invention, but first it must be approved by our board members.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
For it is a fairly sound invention, the original key.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
And its sheer skill and invention are simply awe-inspiring.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But this doesn't take into consideration the invention of the wheel.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Swedish invention and domestic kitchens.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
THERE have been many great inventions over the years.
The Sun (2008)
I understand in a disengaged way that the continuing drama is one of the great inventions of broadcasting.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Both sides had played glorious cricket to get to the final and had entertained and enriched us all with high cricketing skills and maverick invention.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
If the press jumped the gun on powered flight by six decades, they made up for it by almost missing the invention of the telephone.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
invention
British English: invention /ɪnˈvɛnʃən/ NOUN
An invention is a machine or system that has been invented by someone.
Paper was a Chinese invention.
American English: invention
Arabic: إِخْتِرَاعٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: invenção
Chinese: 发明
Croatian: izum
Czech: vynález
Danish: opfindelse
Dutch: uitvinding
European Spanish: invención
Finnish: keksintö
French: invention
German: Erfindung
Greek: εφεύρεση
Italian: invenzione
Japanese: 発明
Korean: 발명
Norwegian: oppfinnelse
Polish: wynalazek
European Portuguese: invenção
Romanian: invenție
Russian: изобретение
Latin American Spanish: invención
Swedish: uppfinning
Thai: การประดิษฐ์
Turkish: icat
Ukrainian: винахід
Vietnamese: sự phát minh
Chinese translation of 'invention'
invention
(ɪnˈvɛnʃən)
n
(c) (= machine, system) 发(發)明 (fāmíng) (项, xiàng)
(c) (= untrue story) 捏造 (niēzào)
(u) (= act of inventing)[of machine, system]发(發)明 (fāmíng)
1 (noun)
Definition
something that is invented
It's been tricky marketing his new invention.
Synonyms
creation
The bathroom is entirely my own creation.
machine
I put a coin in the machine and pulled the lever.
device
This device can measure minute quantities of matter.
design
development
instrument
a thin tube-like optical instrument
discovery
In that year, two momentous discoveries were made.
innovation
gadget
a handy gadget for slicing vegetables
brainchild (informal)
contraption
an interesting musical contraption called a Theremin
contrivance
waldo
2 (noun)
Definition
the act of inventing
fifty years after the invention of the printing press
Synonyms
development
the development of new and innovative services
design
production
the apparent lack of skill in the production of much new modern art
setting up
The setting up of a special fund.
foundation
the foundation of the modern welfare state
construction
constitution
creation
He said all sides were committed to the creation of a democratic state.
discovery
the discovery of new forensic techniques
introduction
He is remembered for the introduction of the moving assembly line.
establishment
discussions to explore the establishment of diplomatic relations
pioneering
formation
the formation of a new government
innovation
conception
It is six years since the project's conception.
masterminding
formulation
inception
contrivance
origination
institution
the institution of the forty-hour week
3 (noun)
Definition
a lie
The story was undoubtedly pure invention.
Synonyms
fiction
Total recycling is a fiction.
story (informal)
He invented some story about a cousin.
fantasy
a world of imagination and fantasy
lie
I've had enough of your lies.
yarn (informal)
Doug has a yarn or two to tell me about his trips into the bush.
fabrication
She described the interview with her as a `complete fabrication'.
concoction
falsehood
He accused them of knowingly spreading falsehoods about him.
fib (informal)
She told innocent fibs.
untruth
The Authority accused estate agents of using blatant untruths.
urban myth
prevarication
After months of prevarication, a decision has been made.
tall story (informal)
urban legend
figment or product of (someone's) imagination
4 (noun)
Definition
creative power
powers of invention and mathematical ability
Synonyms
creativity
American art reached a peak of creativity in the 50's and 60's.
vision
The government's lack of vision could have profound economic consequences.
imagination
He has a logical mind and a little imagination.
initiative
He was disappointed by her lack of initiative.
enterprise
His trouble is that he lacks enterprise.
inspiration
A good way of getting inspiration is by looking at others' work.
genius
brilliance
His brilliance and genius will always remain.
ingenuity
This task is difficult and may require some ingenuity.
originality
the startling originality of his writing
inventiveness
He has surprised us before with his inventiveness.
resourcefulness
creativeness
ingeniousness
imaginativeness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of brilliance
Definition
excellence in physical or mental ability
His brilliance and genius will always remain.
Synonyms
cleverness,
talent,
wisdom,
distinction,
genius,
excellence,
greatness,
aptitude,
inventiveness,
acuity,
giftedness,
braininess
in the sense of conception
Definition
origin or beginning
It is six years since the project's conception.
Synonyms
origin,
beginning,
launching,
birth,
formation,
invention,
outset,
initiation,
inception
in the sense of contraption
Definition
a strange-looking device or gadget
an interesting musical contraption called a Theremin
Synonyms
device,
instrument,
mechanism,
apparatus,
gadget,
contrivance,
waldo,
rig
Synonyms of 'invention'
invention
Explore 'invention' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of device
Definition
a machine or tool used for a particular purpose
This device can measure minute quantities of matter.
Synonyms
gadget,
machine,
tool,
instrument,
implement,
invention,
appliance,
apparatus,
gimmick,
utensil,
contraption (informal),
widget (informal),
contrivance,
waldo,
gizmo or gismo (slang)
in the sense of discovery
In that year, two momentous discoveries were made.
Synonyms
breakthrough,
find,
finding,
development,
advance,
leap,
coup,
invention,
step forward,
godsend,
quantum leap
in the sense of discovery
Definition
a person, place, or thing that has been discovered
the discovery of new forensic techniques
Synonyms
invention,
launch,
institution,
introduction,
pioneering,
innovation,
initiation,
inauguration,
induction,
coinage,
origination
in the sense of enterprise
Definition
boldness and energy
His trouble is that he lacks enterprise.
Synonyms
initiative,
energy,
spirit,
resource,
daring,
enthusiasm,
push (informal),
imagination,
drive,
pep,
readiness,
vigour,
zeal,
ingenuity,
originality,
eagerness,
audacity,
boldness,
welly (slang),
get-up-and-go (informal),
alertness,
resourcefulness,
gumption (informal),
adventurousness,
imaginativeness
in the sense of establishment
Definition
the act of establishing or state of being established
discussions to explore the establishment of diplomatic relations
Synonyms
creation,
founding,
setting up,
foundation,
institution,
organization,
formation,
installation,
inauguration,
enactment
in the sense of fabrication
She described the interview with her as a `complete fabrication'.
Synonyms
forgery,
lie,
fiction,
myth,
fake,
invention,
fable,
concoction,
falsehood,
figment,
untruth,
porky (British, slang),
fairy story (informal),
pork pie (British, slang),
cock-and-bull story (informal),
claptrap (informal)
in the sense of falsehood
Definition
a lie
He accused them of knowingly spreading falsehoods about him.
Synonyms
lie,
story (informal),
fiction,
fabrication,
fib,
untruth,
porky (British, slang),
pork pie (British, slang),
misstatement
in the sense of fantasy
Definition
imagination unrestricted by reality
a world of imagination and fantasy
Synonyms
imagination,
fancy (old-fashioned, literary),
invention,
creativity,
originality
in the sense of fib
Definition
a trivial and harmless lie
She told innocent fibs.
Synonyms
lie,
story (informal),
fiction,
untruth,
whopper (informal),
porky (British, slang),
pork pie (British, slang),
white lie,
prevarication
in the sense of formation
Definition
the act of having or taking form or existence
the formation of a new government
Synonyms
establishment,
founding,
forming,
setting up,
starting,
production,
generation,
organization,
manufacture,
constitution
Additional synonyms
in the sense of foundation
Definition
the act of founding
the foundation of the modern welfare state
Synonyms
setting up,
institution,
instituting,
organization,
settlement,
establishment,
initiating,
originating,
starting,
endowment,
inauguration
in the sense of gadget
Definition
a small mechanical device or appliance
a handy gadget for slicing vegetables
Synonyms
device,
thing,
appliance,
machine,
tool,
implement,
invention,
instrument,
novelty,
apparatus,
gimmick,
utensil,
contraption (informal),
gizmo (slang),
contrivance,
waldo
in the sense of imagination
Definition
creative mental ability
He has a logical mind and a little imagination.
Synonyms
creativity,
vision,
invention,
ingenuity,
enterprise,
insight,
inspiration,
wit,
originality,
inventiveness,
resourcefulness
in the sense of ingenuity
Definition
cleverness at inventing things
This task is difficult and may require some ingenuity.
Synonyms
originality,
genius,
inventiveness,
skill,
gift,
faculty,
flair,
knack,
sharpness,
cleverness,
resourcefulness,
shrewdness,
adroitness,
ingeniousness
in the sense of initiative
Definition
enterprise
He was disappointed by her lack of initiative.
Synonyms
enterprise,
drive,
push (informal),
energy,
spirit,
resource,
leadership,
ambition,
daring,
enthusiasm,
pep,
vigour,
zeal,
originality,
eagerness,
dynamism,
boldness,
welly (slang),
inventiveness,
get-up-and-go (informal),
resourcefulness,
gumption (informal),
adventurousness
in the sense of inspiration
Definition
stimulation of the mind or feelings to activity or creativity
A good way of getting inspiration is by looking at others' work.
Synonyms
imagination,
creativity,
ingenuity,
talent,
insight,
genius,
productivity,
fertility,
stimulation,
originality,
inventiveness,
cleverness,
fecundity,
imaginativeness,
inspo (slang)
in the sense of institution
Definition
an instituting or being instituted
the institution of the forty-hour week
Synonyms
creation,
introduction,
establishment,
investment,
debut,
foundation,
formation,
installation,
initiation,
inauguration,
enactment,
inception,
commencement,
investiture
in the sense of instrument
Definition
a tool or implement, esp. one used for precision work
a thin tube-like optical instrument
Synonyms
tool,
device,
implement,
mechanism,
appliance,
apparatus,
gadget,
utensil,
contraption (informal),
contrivance,
waldo
in the sense of introduction
Definition
the act of introducing something or someone
He is remembered for the introduction of the moving assembly line.
Synonyms
launch,
institution,
establishment,
start,
opening,
beginning,
pioneering,
presentation,
initiation,
inauguration,
induction,
commencement,
instigation
in the sense of inventiveness
He has surprised us before with his inventiveness.
Synonyms
creativity,
vision,
initiative,
enterprise,
imagination,
inspiration,
genius,
invention,
brilliance,
ingenuity,
originality,
resourcefulness,
creativeness,
ingeniousness,
imaginativeness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of lie
Definition
something that is deliberately intended to deceive
I've had enough of your lies.
Synonyms
falsehood,
deceit,
fabrication,
fib,
fiction,
invention,
deception,
untruth,
porky (British, slang),
pork pie (British, slang),
white lie,
falsification,
prevarication,
falsity,
mendacity
in the sense of machine
Definition
an assembly of components arranged so as to perform a particular task and usually powered by electricity
I put a coin in the machine and pulled the lever.
Synonyms
appliance,
device,
apparatus,
engine (obsolete),
tool,
instrument,
mechanism,
gadget,
contraption (informal),
gizmo (informal),
contrivance
in the sense of originality
the startling originality of his writing
Synonyms
novelty,
imagination,
creativity,
innovation,
new ideas,
individuality,
ingenuity,
freshness,
uniqueness,
boldness,
inventiveness,
cleverness,
resourcefulness,
break with tradition,
newness,
unfamiliarity,
creative spirit,
unorthodoxy,
unconventionality,
creativeness,
innovativeness,
imaginativeness
in the sense of prevarication
After months of prevarication, a decision has been made.
Synonyms
evasion,
lies,
deception,
pretence,
deceit,
quibbling,
misrepresentation,
falsehood,
untruth,
falsification,
equivocation,
cavilling,
tergiversation
in the sense of production
the apparent lack of skill in the production of much new modern art
Synonyms
creation,
development,
fashioning,
composition,
origination
in the sense of setting up
The setting up of a special fund.
Synonyms
creation,
foundation,
establishment,
development,
production,
institution,
constitution,
formation,
inception,
origination
in the sense of story
Definition
a lie
He invented some story about a cousin.
Synonyms
lie,
falsehood,
fib,
fiction,
untruth,
porky (British, slang),
pork pie (British, slang),
white lie
in the sense of untruth
Definition
a statement that is not true
The Authority accused estate agents of using blatant untruths.
Synonyms
lie,
fabrication,
falsehood,
fib,
story (informal),
tale,
fiction,
deceit,
whopper (informal),
porky (British, slang),
pork pie (British, slang),
falsification,
prevarication
in the sense of vision
Definition
great perception of future developments
The government's lack of vision could have profound economic consequences.
Synonyms
foresight,
imagination,
perception,
insight,
awareness,
inspiration,
innovation,
creativity,
intuition,
penetration,
inventiveness,
shrewdness,
discernment,
prescience (formal),
perceptiveness,
farsightedness,
breadth of view
in the sense of yarn
Definition
a long involved story
Doug has a yarn or two to tell me about his trips into the bush.