innovation

[in-uh-vey-shuhn]

noun

1. something new or different introduced.

   numerous innovations in the high school curriculum.

2. the act of innovating; introduction of new things or methods.

innovation

/ ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. something newly introduced, such as a new method or device

2. the act of innovating

Other Word Forms

• innovational adjective
• innovationist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of innovation¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Late Latin innovātiōn- (stem of innovātiō ); innovate, -ion

Example Sentences

Chips Breakthrough: Substrate says it has reinvented a key link in the microchip production process and plans to use its innovation to build U.S. manufacturing facilities.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As industries continue to demand smaller, faster, and more efficient devices, such progress highlights the growing potential of quantum materials to drive real-world innovation.

Read more on Science Daily

Jenni Minto, Scottish minister for public health, said the Scottish government was proud to be leading the way in tackling obesity through innovation and collaboration.

Read more on BBC

He points to Jake Burton, a pioneering maker of snowboards—an innovation that took years to be widely embraced, but ultimately brought more people to the mountains.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"No one else in our industry is executing at this scale, with this level of innovation, or delivering this kind of value."

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• modernization 

When To Use

What does innovation mean?

Innovation can refer to something new, such as an invention, or the practice of developing and introducing new things.An innovation is often a new product, but it can also be a new way of doing something or even a new way of thinking. Innovation is most commonly associated with business and technology, but it happens in any field where people introduce change, including the arts, medicine, politics, cooking, language—even philosophy and religion.Example: The internet changed society and is often considered the ultimate example of innovation, but it was built on the backs of many smaller, previous innovations.