renovation

American  

[ren-uh-vey-shuhn] / ˌrɛn əˈveɪ ʃən /

noun

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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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. )

Compare meaning

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

• renovation vs. remodel

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

Austrian sculptor Erwin Wurm and his wife, Élise Mougin-Wurm, stripped away a 1980s renovation to unveil the history of their 15th-century apartment.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Next up: a spa-wide renovation to freshen up existing areas.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced on April 24 that she was suspending the investigation and referring the renovation matter to the Fed’s inspector general, which had been examining the project’s cost overruns since last summer.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

The visual appeared to reference Trump’s proposed renovation of the pool.

From Salon • May 2, 2026

The renovation provided an opportunity to add a new feature to the White House—an atomic bomb shelter.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• improvement
• renewal
• repair
• restoration
• upgrade