invest

American  

[in-vest] / ɪnˈvɛst /

verb (used with object)

1. to put (money) to use, by purchase or expenditure, in something offering potential profitable returns, as interest, income, or appreciation in value.

2. to use (money), as in accumulating something.

   to invest large sums in books.

3. to use, give, or devote (time, talent, etc.), as for a purpose or to achieve something.

   He invested a lot of time in cleaning up the neighborhood after the flood.

4. to furnish with power, authority, rank, etc..

   The Constitution invests the president with the power of veto.

5. to furnish or endow with a power, right, etc.; vest.

   Feudalism invested the lords with absolute authority over their vassals.

6. to endow with a quality or characteristic.

   to invest a friend with every virtue.

7. to infuse or belong to, as a quality or characteristic.

   Goodness invests his every action.

8. Metallurgy. to surround (a pattern) with an investment.

9. to provide with the insignia of office.

10. to install in an office or position.

11. to clothe, attire, or dress.

12. to cover, adorn, or envelop.

    Spring invests the trees with leaves.

13. to surround (a place) with military forces or works so as to prevent approach or escape; besiege.

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verb (used without object)

1. to invest money; make an investment.

   to invest in oil stock.

invest British  

/ ɪnˈvɛst /

verb

1. (often foll by in) to lay out (money or capital in an enterprise, esp by purchasing shares) with the expectation of profit

2. to devote (effort, resources, etc, to a project)

3. archaic (tr; often foll by in or with) to clothe or adorn (in some garment, esp the robes of an office)

   to invest a king in the insignia of an emperor

4. to install formally or ceremoniously (in an official position, rank, etc)

5. (tr; foll by in or with) to place (power, authority, etc, in) or provide (with power or authority)

   to invest new rights in the monarchy

6. (tr; usually passive; foll by in or with) to provide or endow (a person with qualities, characteristics, etc)

   he was invested with great common sense

7. poetic to cover or adorn, as if with a coat or garment

   when spring invests the trees with leaves

8. rare (tr) to surround with military forces; besiege

9. informal to purchase; buy

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Other Word Forms

• investable adjective
• investor noun
• noninvestor noun
• overinvest verb
• preinvest verb (used with object)
• reinvest verb (used with object)
• underinvest verb (used without object)
• underinvested adjective
• uninvested adjective
• well-invested adjective

Etymology

Origin of invest

First recorded in 1525–35; from Old Italian investire, from Medieval Latin investīre “to install, invest (money), surround, clothe in,” Latin: “to clothe, deck, adorn,” equivalent to in- prefix + vestīre “to clothe, dress,” derivative of vestis “clothes, garment”; in- ², vest

Example Sentences

On Thursday, the U.K. government released a statement saying that its pharmaceutical companies wouldn’t be tariffed—an assertion the Trump official confirmed, saying that U.K. drugmakers had already committed to invest in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Both CalPERS and CalSTRS unveiled sustainable investments strategies to increase holdings in low-carbon assets and other climate solutions several years ago, but continue to invest in multinational oil giants such as ExxonMobil and Chevron.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

A Walmart representative told MarketWatch the membership-fee increase would allow Sam’s Club to invest in new products, as well as its Member’s Mark store brand.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

Marvell got a boost on Tuesday after Nvidia vowed to invest $2 billion in the semiconductor company as part of a new partnership.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

"Nor can we take it by siege, without an army on the far bank to invest the other castle," Helman Tallhart said gloomily.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• devote
• lend
• provide
• spend
• supply