Investment refers to the act of allocating resources, usually money, to purchase assets, securities, or projects with the expectation of generating a return or profit over time. The primary goal of investing is to increase wealth or generate income through the appreciation of the assets’ value, dividends, interest, or capital gains. Investments can take various forms, including stocks, bonds, real estate, mutual funds, and businesses. The process of investment involves assessing the potential risks and returns associated with different opportunities and making informed decisions based on financial goals, market conditions, and individual risk tolerance. Investments can be categorized as short-term or long-term based on the expected timeframe for achieving returns.