investment
UK: ɪnˈvɛstmənt | US: ɪnˈvɛstmənt
n. the act of committing money or capital to an endeavor with the expectation of profit
n. a thing invested in, such as property, stocks, or time
n. the process of devoting resources to achieve long-term benefits
The word "investment" originates from the Italian investire (to clothe or surround), derived from Latin investire (to clothe, surround, or cover). The financial sense emerged in the 17th century, metaphorically framing capital as "clothing" a venture to nurture growth. The suffix -ment (from Latin -mentum) nominalizes the action, solidifying its modern meaning of allocating resources for future gain.
Her investment in the startup yielded significant returns.
Education is an investment in one's future.
The company made a strategic investment in renewable energy.
He lost money on a risky real estate investment.
Time management is an investment in productivity.