In a business context, to invest means to

• A. to put one's money into something with the intention of eventually earning money from the project
• B. to give power or rank to
• C. to install a new leader
• D. to endow

Answer: (A)

In business, investing means allocating money or other resources to a project, company, or asset with the expectation that these resources will generate a financial return in the future. This involves evaluating potential profits, risks, and time horizons—like funding a new product line, buying equipment to boost productivity, or purchasing shares in a company. The focus is on the prospect of earning money or achieving growth from the commitment.

The other actions describe different ideas: granting authority, appointing someone to lead, or providing an endowment to support an institution. These are not about putting money into something to earn a future profit, which is why they don’t fit the sense of investing in a business context.