Origin: Latin suffix -ment
Investment has 7 different meanings across 1 category:
the act of investing; laying out money or capital in an enterprise with the expectation of profit
"After years of saving, she finally made her investment by purchasing shares in a promising tech startup."
money that is invested with an expectation of profit
"After years of saving, she finally made a significant investment in her startup with the expectation of securing a profitable return."
the commitment of something other than money (time, energy, or effort) to a project with the expectation of some worthwhile result
"this job calls for the investment of some hard thinking"
"he made an emotional investment in the work"
outer layer or covering of an organ or part or organism
"The surgeon carefully peeled back the fibrous investment to reach the damaged nerve beneath."
the act of putting on robes or vestments
"The priest's investment in his ceremonial robes marked the beginning of the mass."
the ceremonial act of clothing someone in the insignia of an office; the formal promotion of a person to an office or rank
"The king's personal investment of his scepter into the duke's hands marked the official beginning of his reign."
The act of investing, or state of being invested.
"After years of saving and careful planning, she finally made her investment in a small local bakery."
In plain English: An investment is money you spend now with the hope of getting more back later.
"She made a significant investment in her daughter's education."
Usage: Use "investment" to describe money or resources put into something with the expectation of profit or gain, rather than the general act of investing itself. It refers specifically to the capital committed, not the process of committing it.
The word investment comes from the verb invest, which originally meant to clothe or surround something with a covering. The suffix -ment was added to form a noun describing the act of putting money into something with the expectation of profit.