From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishinvestin‧vest /ɪnˈvest/ ●●○ S3 W3 AWL verb 1 [intransitive, transitive]BF to buy shares, property, or goods because you hope that the value will increase and you can make a profit I’ve got a few thousand dollars I’m looking to invest.invest (something) in something Oliver made a fortune by investing in antique furniture. Williams invested a large sum of money in Swiss stocks. He had invested heavily (=invested a lot of money) in the bond market.2 [intransitive, transitive] if a government, business, or organization invests in something, they spend a large amount of money to improve it or help it succeedinvest (something) in something The city has invested millions of dollars in the museum. The factory plans to invest in new computers.RegisterIn everyday English, people often say put money in/into something rather than invest in something:He put money into his brother’s business.The government put in millions of pounds.3 [transitive]DO something/TAKE ACTION to use a lot of time, effort etc or spend money in order to make something succeedinvest something in something It was very difficult to leave a home we had invested so much in.THESAURUSinvest verb [intransitive, transitive] to buy shares or property, in order to make a profitWhy don’t you invest the money on the stock market?He invested £50,000 in his brother’s business.Investing in property is probably not a good idea right now.put money into something to give money to a business, organization, activity etc, in order to help it develop and be successfulWe’re looking for an investor who will put money into our business.Every year the charity puts millions of dollars into research to find ways to treat cancer. back [transitive usually passive] to invest in a project or business, especially when the fact that you do this shows you support itThe scheme has been backed by several major companies.The movie is backed by a powerful state-owned bank.interest noun [countable] if you have an interest in a particular company, you own shares in itIn 1986 GM acquired a controlling interest (=enough shares to control what decisions are taken) in the sports car maker Lotus.He has business interests throughout Europe. → invest (something) in something → invest somebody/something with something→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
invest• I invested £5000 in my brother's printing business.• The Singapore government is interested in investing abroad.• He had invested heavily in risky assets like junk bonds.• Shares in CMG Information, which invests in Internet-related businesses, declined sharply in the spring.• Investing in property is no longer as safe as it used to be.• I want to invest the money my aunt left me.invested heavily• Another pocket of gloom was among managers who invested heavily abroad.• To head off competition, the telcos have invested heavily in fiber optics and sophisticated switching technology.• These trading houses have invested heavily in global networks of information-gathering affiliates and extensive communications systems.• Many of us had invested heavily in high-tech stocks.• Resources Telford College has invested heavily in new technology related to visual communication.• Clinton had invested heavily in Peres' election prospects.• They had invested heavily in their branded products and in the machinery to make them.• Since 1979 we have invested heavily to secure that status.invest something in something• It's a chance for students to invest time in non-profit work.From Longman Business Dictionaryinvestin‧vest /ɪnˈvest/ verb [intransitive, transitive]FINANCE1to buy shares, bonds, property etc in order to make a profitPeople are so pessimistic about the future that they won’t invest at the moment.The Singapore government is interested in investing abroad.invest inThe fund hadinvested heavily in risky assets like junk bonds.2to save money in a high interest bank account or to buy an insurance policy that pays BONUSESBefore investing, investors should ask about the financial soundness of the company that issues the annuity.3to spend money on things that will make a business more successful and profitableIt is investing some $60 million to maintain its edge in technology.invest inThe company has been investing hundreds of millions of dollars in new production facilities.→ See Verb tableOrigin invest (1500-1600) Italian investire “to dress, invest”, from Latin, “to dress”, from vestis “piece of clothing” 