renewable energy

American

noun

any naturally occurring, theoretically inexhaustible source of energy, as biomass, solar, wind, tidal, wave, and hydroelectric power, that is not derived from fossil or nuclear fuel.

renewable energy British

noun

another name for alternative energy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of renewable energy

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

renewable energy

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in 2025 aimed at "unleashing" these seabed resources, stressing the demand in everything from renewable energy to military applications.

From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026

BP completed its purchase of Archaea in December 2022 during a time when it was trying to transition to more renewable energy sources.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026

The action unfolded across four venues - each powered by renewable energy - with the most noticeable buzz around the SEC Campus.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

That could be especially useful in coastal regions where access to fresh water is limited but seawater and renewable energy are readily available.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 1, 2026

“It was sponsored by a group of renewable energy companies, including the Fūjin Corporation, which makes turbines for wind energy.”

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023