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

A Meta spokesperson told AFP the company is continuing to scale up investments in renewable energy, and that leaving RE100 does not change its goal of matching its electricity use with 100 percent clean energy.

From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026

The news was first reported by Recharge News, a renewable energy industry outlet.

From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026

So while flow batteries are regarded as a potential game-changer in the renewable energy race to net zero, they have not been developed widely due to cost and geopolitical constraints.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Globally, renewable sources provided more electricity than coal last year, while the UK recorded its highest ever amount of renewable energy generation.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Dozens of cities in the United States are now following suit, pledging to use 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 or sooner.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

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