invention
noun
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What is the difference between innovation and invention?
The words innovation and invention overlap semantically but are really quite distinct.
Invention can refer to a type of musical composition, a falsehood, a discovery, or any product of the imagination. The sense of invention most likely to be confused with innovation is “a device, contrivance, or process originated after study and experiment,” usually something which has not previously been in existence.
Innovation, for its part, can refer to something new or to a change made to an existing product, idea, or field. One might say that the first telephone was an invention, the first cellular telephone either an invention or an innovation, and the first smartphone an innovation.
Synonyms
Examples of invention in a Sentence
New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2024
Xu is known for his invention of a new calligraphy system made up of English letters.
—Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 20 Oct. 2024
The arm is one of the most ergonomic inventions on the market.
—Omaid Homayun, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
In their new big screen appearance, Wallace and Gromit’s friendship is put to the test by the former’s invention of a smart gnome called Norbot, who takes on a life of his own, wreaking havoc in the process.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for invention 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'invention.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near invention
Cite this Entry
“Invention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invention. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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invention
noun
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