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

Some potential challenges include: • Lack of time: Developing a habit of self-reflection requires a deliberate investment of time. —Susan Curtin, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

The firm made further investments during the year, including £50 million ($63.5 million) in October to raise its stake from 26.5% to 31.1%. —Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 4 Mar. 2025

Yet the Trump administration remains confident that tariffs are the best choice to expand U.S. manufacturing and attract foreign investment. —Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 4 Mar. 2025

Getting to that advanced level requires a lot of very expensive investment and R&D. SMIC spent about $7.5 billion in 2024 on capital expenditure, roughly the same level as the year before, and about as much as the chipmaker expects to spend this year. —Nicholas Gordon, Fortune Asia, 4 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