renovation

American  

[ren-uh-vay-shuhn] / ˌrɛn əˈveɪ ʃən /

noun

• renovations
  plural

1. the act or process of repairing, renewing, or restoring to good condition.

   The project will include interior and exterior renovation and rehabilitation to upgrade the school’s infrastructure.

2. the act of reinvigorating or reviving.

   The transition to organic growing will require an investment of labor and capital to complete the orchard renovation, install new plantings, and build economic viability.

3. Usually renovations something that has been repaired or restored to a better condition, or the work done to repair or restore something.

   Renovations to the theater include new doors and windows, a new lighting system, and a refurbished floor for the stage.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• renovations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of renovation

First recorded in 1400–50, for an earlier sense; from Latin renovātiōn-, stem of renovātiō “renewal”; see renovate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

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Compare meaning

How does renovation compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• renovation vs. remodel

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Explanation

Renovation is the act of renewing or restoring something. If your kitchen is undergoing a renovation, there’s probably plaster and paint all over the place and you should probably get take-out. The roots of renovation refer to newness and doing something again — it’s from the Latin re- for "again" and novare which means, "make new.” A rundown building is in need of renovation, or a website that's being redesigned is under renovation. After renovation, things look new and improved. Before the word underwent renovation, in the early 15th century, renovacyoun meant "spiritual rebirth,” which is how you might feel after your kitchen is redone.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

renovation renovations

Philbin oversaw a two-decade,$90-million renovation by Michael Maltzan Architecture that increased gallery space by 60% and added an outdoor sculpture terrace.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

But a government watchdog recently cleared Powell of criminal wrongdoing in a costly Fed renovation project, and US Attorney General Todd Blanche said he would not reopen an investigation.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

Other explanations for this high number include properties awaiting renovation, or legal disputes between family members who have inherited them.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Its renovation ran 81% over its original budget.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

It’s a brownstone under renovation; Astrid and Donald, expecting their first child, are in the process of expanding their domain from a single floor of the house to the top three.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

After initially concentrating on small-scale renovations, DIY SOS shifted focus to tackle a number of more ambitious projects throughout its multiple-decade run.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

The structure has undergone several repairs and renovations over the years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

Statements that Powell made about the renovations at a June 2025 hearing became the basis of accusations by senior White House officials that the Fed chair hadn’t been truthful.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

Spielberg’s vision also reportedly included more than $7 million worth of renovations, as well as plans to construct a 2,400-square-foot guesthouse and a three-story guardhouse.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 21, 2026

She thought they were probably custodians planning the summer renovations.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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Related Words

• improvement
• renewal
• repair
• restoration
• upgrade

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