/ ɪnˈvest; NAmE / verb
1.
invest (sth) (in sth) to buy property, shares in a company, etc. in the hope of making a profit :
[ v ]
Now is a good time to invest in the property market.
[ vn ]
He invested his life savings in his daughter's business.
➡ note at spend
2.
invest (sth) (in / on sth) ( of an organization or government, etc. ) to spend money on sth in order to make it better or more successful :
[ v ]
The government has invested heavily in public transport.
[ vn ]
The college is to invest $2 million in a new conference hall.
In his time managing the club he has invested millions on new players.
[also vn to inf ]
3.
invest sth (in sth / in doing sth) to spend time, energy, effort, etc. on sth that you think is good or useful :
[ vn ]
She had invested all her adult life in the relationship.
[also vn -ing ]
4.
[ vn ] invest sb (with sth) | invest sb (as sth) ( formal ) to give sb power or authority, especially as part of their job :
The new position invested her with a good deal of responsibility.
The interview was broadcast on the same day he was invested as President.
—see also investiture
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- invest in sth
- invest sb/sth with sth
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the senses clothe , clothe with the insignia of a rank , and endow with authority ): from French investir or Latin investire , from in- into, upon + vestire clothe (from vestis clothing). Senses 1 and 2 (early 17th cent.) are influenced by Italian investire .