renew
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to begin or take up again, as an acquaintance, a conversation, etc.; resume.
-
to make effective for an additional period.
to renew a lease.
-
to restore or replenish.
to renew a stock of goods.
- Synonyms:
- restock
-
to make, say, or do again.
-
to revive; reestablish.
-
to recover (youth, strength, etc.).
-
to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again.
- Synonyms:
- mend, reinstate, regenerate, rejuvenate, re-create
verb (used without object)
-
to begin again; recommence.
-
to renew a lease, note, etc.
-
to be restored to a former state; become new or as if new again.
verb
-
to take up again
-
(also intr) to begin (an activity) again; recommence
to renew an attempt
-
to restate or reaffirm (a promise, etc)
-
(also intr) to make (a lease, licence, or contract) valid or effective for a further period
-
to extend the period of loan of (a library book)
-
to regain or recover (vigour, strength, activity, etc)
-
to restore to a new or fresh condition
-
to replace (an old or worn-out part or piece)
-
to replenish (a supply, etc)
Synonym Usage
Renew, renovate, repair, restore suggest making something the way it formerly was. To renew means to bring back to an original condition of freshness and vigor: to renew one's enthusiasm. Renovate means to do over or make good any dilapidation of something: to renovate an old house. To repair is to put into good or sound condition; to make good any injury, damage, wear and tear, decay, etc.; to mend: to repair the roof of a house. To restore is to bring back to its former place or position something which has faded, disappeared, been lost, etc., or to reinstate a person in rank or position: to restore a king to his throne.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
renewsimple
-
renewssimple
-
have renewedperfect
-
has renewedperfect
-
am renewingprogressive
-
are renewingprogressive
-
is renewingprogressive
-
have been renewingperfect progressive
-
has been renewingperfect progressive
Past
-
renewedsimple
-
had renewedperfect
-
was renewingprogressive
-
were renewingprogressive
-
had been renewingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of renew
First recorded in 1325–75, renew is from the Middle English word renewen. See re-, new
Explanation
If you make something like new, you renew it. When you catch up with an old friend you haven't seen in a long time, you renew your friendship. To renew is to make new again. If you get a new due date for your library books, you've renewed them. If you forget to renew them, your books will be overdue, and you may have to pay a fine. Renew also means to revive, restore, or cause to appear in a new form. Historically, all kinds of tonics have claimed to renew a person's health, but many of the early ones actually contained poisons that could kill you.
Vocabulary lists containing renew
The Vernal Vocabulary of Spring
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Beowulf vocabulary
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
President Obama's second inaugural address
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Sunrun, Tesla and Renew Home this week said they would team up to create power plants out of U.S. households.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026
That power draws on hundreds of thousands of home battery systems operated by Sunrun and Tesla, plus capacity from more than 8 million smart devices managed by Renew Home.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 24, 2026
"The United States is making a miscalculation that is not only dangerous but could be painful," Renew group's Hayer said in a statement.
From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026
The Hirael and Maesgeirchen areas will also have increased police patrols as part of an operation called Renew Bangor.
From BBC • Mar. 16, 2025
Not yet, O wisest chief, despair; Renew thy toil with utmost care.
From The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Griffith, Ralph T. H. (Ralph Thomas Hotchkin)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
