INVENTION

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does invention mean? 

• INVENTION (noun)
  The noun INVENTION has 3 senses:

1. the creation of something in the mind

2. a creation (a new device or process) resulting from study and experimentation

3. the act of inventing

  Familiarity information: INVENTION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INVENTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The creation of something in the mind

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

conception; design; excogitation; innovation; invention

Hypernyms ("invention" is a kind of...):

creative thinking; creativeness; creativity (the ability to create)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "invention"):

concoction (the invention of a scheme or story to suit some purpose)

contrivance (the faculty of contriving; inventive skill)

Derivation:

invent (come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A creation (a new device or process) resulting from study and experimentation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

innovation; invention

Hypernyms ("invention" is a kind of...):

creation (an artifact that has been brought into existence by someone)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act of inventing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("invention" is a kind of...):

creating by mental acts (the act of creating something by thinking)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "invention"):

coinage; neologism; neology (the act of inventing a word or phrase)

contrivance; devisal (the act of devising something)

Derivation:

invent (come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort)

invent (concoct something artificial or untrue)

 Context examples 

No man could more verify the truth of these two maxims, “That nature is very easily satisfied;” and, “That necessity is the mother of invention.”

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

He was as radiant, as if his chair, his asthma, and the failure of his limbs, were the various branches of a great invention for enhancing the luxury of a pipe.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

In that instance, he had been holding a rifle in his hands to show the invention could be utilized for military purposes.

(French inventor Franky Zapata successfully crosses English Channel on jet-powered hoverboard, Wikinews)

"Little goose girl, who kept a hundred fat geese in the field," said Amy, when Sallie's invention gave out.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

“And they made themselves many inventions,” I began merrily, then paused to sniff the air.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The speeches that are put into the heroes' mouths, their thoughts and designs—the chief of all this must be invention, and invention is what delights me in other books.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

"Margaret," said Marianne with great warmth, "you know that all this is an invention of your own, and that there is no such person in existence."

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Emma assisted with her invention, memory and taste; and as Harriet wrote a very pretty hand, it was likely to be an arrangement of the first order, in form as well as quantity.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Bingley of course returned with him to dinner; and in the evening Mrs. Bennet's invention was again at work to get every body away from him and her daughter.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Co-researcher Associate Professor Andrey Miroshnichenko said the invention could be tailored for other light spectrums including visible light, which opened up a whole array of innovations, including architectural and energy saving applications.

(Protecting Astronauts from Radiation in Space, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)