First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
involve
verb in·volve \in-ˈvälv, -ˈvȯlv also -ˈväv or -ˈvȯv\
: to have or include (someone or something) as a part of something
: to cause (someone) to be included in some activity, situation, etc. : to cause (someone) to take part in something
: to cause (someone) to be associated with someone or something
in·volvedin·volv·ing
Full Definition of INVOLVE
transitive verb
1
archaic : to enfold or envelop so as to encumber
2
a : to engage as a participant <workers involved in building a house> b : to oblige to take part <right of Congress to involve the nation in war> c : to occupy (as oneself) absorbingly; especially : to commit (as oneself) emotionally <was involved with a married man>
3
: to surround as if with a wrapping : envelop
4
a archaic : to wind, coil, or wreathe about b : to relate closely : connect
5
a : to have within or as part of itself : include b : to require as a necessary accompaniment : entail c : 3affect <the cancer involved the lymph nodes>
— in·volve·ment \-ˈvälv-mənt, -ˈvȯlv-\ noun
— in·volv·er noun
See involve defined for English-language learners
See involve defined for kids
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Origin of INVOLVE
Middle English, to roll up, wrap, from Latin involvere, from in- + volvere to roll — more at voluble
Related to INVOLVE
Synonym Discussion of INVOLVE
include, comprehend, embrace, involve mean to contain within as part of the whole. include suggests the containment of something as a constituent, component, or subordinate part of a larger whole <the price of dinner includes dessert>. comprehend implies that something comes within the scope of a statement or definition <his system comprehends all history>. embrace implies a gathering of separate items within a whole <her faith embraces both Christian and non-Christian beliefs>. involve suggests inclusion by virtue of the nature of the whole, whether by being its natural or inevitable consequence <the new job involves a lot of detail>.
INVOLVING Defined for Kids
involve
verb in·volve \in-ˈvälv, -ˈvȯlv\
in·volvedin·volv·ing
Definition of INVOLVE for Kids
1
: to draw into a situation : engage <The teacher involved her students in the project.>
2
: to take part in <I'm not involved in the planning.>
3
: include <The accident involved three cars.>
4
: to be accompanied by <The plan involves some risk.>
5
: to have or take the attention of completely <He was deeply involved in his work.>
— in·volve·ment \-mənt\ noun
Word Root of INVOLVE
The Latin word volvere, meaning “to roll” or “to turn around,” gives us the root volv. Words from the Latin volvere have something to do with turning. To revolve is to turn in circles or travel on a circular path. To evolve, or grow or develop out of something else, is to unroll from a source. To involve, or include, is to roll someone into a situation.
Medical Dictionary
involve
transitive verb in·volve \in-ˈvälv, -ˈvȯlv also -ˈväv or -ˈvȯv\
in·volvedin·volv·ing
Medical Definition of INVOLVE
: to affect with a disease or condition : include in an area of damage, trauma, or insult <all the bones of the skull were involved in the proliferative process> <herpes involved the trigeminal nerve> <severely involved patients were isolated> <lacerations involved the muscles>
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