Words / B1

in-VENSHUN/ɪnˈvenʃn/

An invention is something new that someone has made or designed, or the act of making it: an important invention; the invention of the telephone. A discovery is something that already existed and was found; a product is something sold. Invent is the verb; inventor is the person. Inventive is the adjective for a creative person. Do not write “invented the electricity” for a natural force — that is discover. Patent protects an invention legally.

Meaning

Something new that someone has made or designed, or the act of making it.

Examples

• “The telephone was an important invention.”
• “The invention of the printing press changed reading forever.”
• “Her latest invention is a folding bike for commuters.”

Good to know

the invention of. Verb: invent. Person: inventor. Already existed: discovery. Sold item: product. Legal protection: patent.

Near in meaning

creation

New