- 1[countable] a thing or an idea that has been invented Fax machines were a wonderful invention at the time.
- 2[uncountable] the act of inventing something Such changes have not been seen since the invention of the printing press.
- 3[countable, uncountable] the act of inventing a story or an idea and pretending that it is true; a story invented in this way This story is apparently a complete invention. What would he tell his parents? Some invention and quick thinking—that's what was needed.
- 4[uncountable] the ability to have new and interesting ideas John was full of invention—always making up new dance steps and sequences. Idioms
a difficult new problem forces people to think of a solution to it
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