something that has never been made before, or the process of creating something that has never been made before

The world changed rapidly after the invention of the phone. 电话发明后世界的变化日新月异。

a most amazing invention 非常了不起的发明

a story or excuse that is not true, or the act of creating a story or excuse that is not true

All that gossip about Linda was just pure invention. 有关琳达的所有流言都纯属虚构。

Be careful what you believe - her powers of invention (= ability to think of excuses, etc.) are well known. 注意你该信什么——她编瞎话的本领是出了名的。