investment

(1) In finance, the purchase of a financial product or other item of value with an expectation of favorable future returns; the use of money in the hope of making more money. (2) In business, the purchase by a producer of a physical good, such as durable equipment or inventory, in the hope of improving future business.

Glossary term from Asia-Pacific edition of Entrepreneurship Theory Process Practice (Melbourne: Cengage, 2019)