investment
n. C / Un. the act of putting money, time, or effort into something to get a profit or a benefit later. It can also mean the thing you bought or the money you spent.
n. the allocation of resources, typically capital, into an asset or venture with the expectation of generating an income or profit. Often used metaphorically to describe the expenditure of time or emotional energy.
Buying a house is a big financial investment.
The city's investment in public transport led to a significant decrease in traffic congestion over the following decade.
While high-risk ventures offer the potential for substantial returns, a diversified portfolio remains the most reliable strategy for long-term capital investment and wealth preservation.
From invest + -ment.
Functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the general act of investing; functions as a countable noun when referring to specific assets or projects.
I made an investment to that companyI made an investment in that companyThe noun investment typically takes the preposition 'in' rather than 'to' when identifying the target of the funds.