inversion
noun
in·ver·sion
in-ˈvər-zhən 
-shən
plural inversions
1
: a reversal of position, order, form, or relationship: such as
a(1)
: a change in normal word order
especially
: the placement of a verb before its subject
(2)
: the process or result of changing or reversing the relative positions of the notes of a musical interval, chord, or phrase
b
: the condition of being turned inward or inside out
c
: a breaking off of a chromosome section and its subsequent reattachment in inverted position
also
: a chromosomal section that has undergone this process
2
: the act or process of inverting
3
a
: a change in the order of the terms of a mathematical proportion effected by inverting each ratio
b
: the operation of forming the inverse of a magnitude, a function, an operation, or an element
4
a
: the conversion of dextrorotatory sucrose into a levorotatory mixture of glucose and fructose
b
: a change from one stereochemical figuration at a chiral center in a usually organic molecule to the opposite configuration that is brought about by a reaction in which a substitution of one group is made for a different group
5
: an increase of temperature with height through a layer of air
6
: a corporate reorganization in which a U.S. corporation merges with or acquires a foreign corporation and restructures the U.S. corporation as a subsidiary of the newly created multinational company for the purpose of establishing a domicile in a foreign country and taking advantage of the country's corporate tax structure
U.S. businesses are buying foreign companies in countries with lower tax rates so they can switch their legal home and cut their tax bills. The process, known as inversion, is the hottest trend in mergers and acquisitions, driving some of the biggest takeovers this year.—
Tom Fairless and Shayndi Raice
Tom Fairless and Shayndi Raice7
Examples of inversion in a Sentence
an inversion of the roles of parent and child
Inversion of the two words changes the meaning of the sentence.
Recent Examples on the Web
The inversion of the spread may signal that nervous investors are clamoring to get hold of spot gold now, as protection against potential turmoil.
—Mark Burton, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2024
Serious people should know what an older version of antisemitic denialism was all about: a steady stream of factual nitpicks, logical inversions and rhetorical legerdemain meant to obfuscate and deny the greatest crime in history.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024
The department said the air quality worsened overnight because smoke from prescribed burns got trapped in an inversion, when a layer of cool air is below a layer of warmer air.
—Remy Tumin, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
The piston sits on the lateral (outside) side since 90% of all ankle injuries occur because of a lateral inversion.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
Profit shifting and corporate tax inversions were the lightning rod issues and companies of every type were put under scrutiny for moving key parts of their business to low tax regimes like Ireland to avoid heavy corporate tax burdens.
—Laura Clayton McDonnell, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
This inversion aids in breaking down hierarchy and builds empathy, both critical for successful change.
7.
—Sherzod Odilov, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
Above that inversion, the atmosphere was very unstable, which aided the thunder development.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024
An upside down flag: A prop for protests or signal for help
Many see the inversion of the flag as a sign of disrespect, but it has traditionally been used as a call for help by individuals and groups.
—David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Feb. 2024
Mark Burton, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2024
Serious people should know what an older version of antisemitic denialism was all about: a steady stream of factual nitpicks, logical inversions and rhetorical legerdemain meant to obfuscate and deny the greatest crime in history.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024
The department said the air quality worsened overnight because smoke from prescribed burns got trapped in an inversion, when a layer of cool air is below a layer of warmer air.
—Remy Tumin, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
The piston sits on the lateral (outside) side since 90% of all ankle injuries occur because of a lateral inversion.
—Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
Profit shifting and corporate tax inversions were the lightning rod issues and companies of every type were put under scrutiny for moving key parts of their business to low tax regimes like Ireland to avoid heavy corporate tax burdens.
—Laura Clayton McDonnell, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
This inversion aids in breaking down hierarchy and builds empathy, both critical for successful change.
7.
—Sherzod Odilov, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
Above that inversion, the atmosphere was very unstable, which aided the thunder development.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024
An upside down flag: A prop for protests or signal for help
Many see the inversion of the flag as a sign of disrespect, but it has traditionally been used as a call for help by individuals and groups.
—David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inversion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1546, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing inversion
Dictionary Entries Near inversion
Cite this Entry
“Inversion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inversion. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
inversion
noun
in·ver·sion
in-ˈvər-zhən
-shən
1
: a reversal of position, order, or relationship
2
: the act or process of inverting
3
: increase of temperature of the air with increasing altitude
Medical Definition
inversion
noun
in·ver·sion
in-ˈvər-zhən, -shən
1
: a reversal of position, order, form, or relationship: as
a
: a dislocation of a bodily structure in which it is turned partially or wholly inside out
inversion of the uterus
b
: the condition (as of the foot) of being turned or rotated inward compare eversion sense 2
c
d
: a breaking off of a chromosome section and its subsequent reattachment in inverted position
also
: a chromosomal section that has undergone this process
2
a
: the conversion of dextrorotatory sucrose into a levorotatory mixture of glucose and fructose
b
: a change from one stereochemical figuration at a chiral center in a usually organic molecule to the opposite configuration that is brought about by a reaction in which a substitution of one group is made for a different group
3
dated
: homosexuality
Legal Definition
inversion
noun
in·ver·sion
in-ˈvər-zhən
: a corporate reorganization in which a U.S. corporation buys or merges with a foreign corporation and is restructured as a subsidiary of the newly created multinational company in order to establish a domicile in a foreign country with lower corporate taxes
called also corporate inversion, tax inversion
More from Merriam-Webster on inversion
Nglish: Translation of inversion for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inversion
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