innovation

American  

[in-uh-vay-shuhn] / ˌɪn əˈveɪ ʃən /

noun

• innovations
  plural

1. 

   something new or different introduced.

   numerous innovations in the high school curriculum.

2. the act of innovating; introduction of new things or methods.

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innovation British  

/ ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. something newly introduced, such as a new method or device

2. the act of innovating

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Usage

What does innovation mean? Innovation can refer to something new, such as an invention, or the practice of developing and introducing new things. An innovation is often a new product, but it can also be a new way of doing something or even a new way of thinking. Innovation is most commonly associated with business and technology, but it happens in any field where people introduce change, including the arts, medicine, politics, cooking, language—even philosophy and religion. Example: The internet changed society and is often considered the ultimate example of innovation, but it was built on the backs of many smaller, previous innovations.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• innovationist
  noun
• innovational
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• innovations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of innovation

First recorded in 1540–50; from Late Latin innovātiōn- (stem of innovātiō ); see origin at innovate, -ion

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Explanation

An innovation is the introduction of something new. If you run a magazine about new technology, then you're constantly looking out for the next innovation. Innovation comes from Latin innovare for renew, whose root is novus or new. It can be used for either the act of introducing something new, as in a company that rewards creativity and innovation, or something that is newly introduced, like an innovation in microchip design. It was once used politically in the sense of revolution, but now you're most likely to hear it in relation to technology, or new ways of doing something.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

innovation innovations

Claire Reed, PwC UK's chief technology and innovation officer, believes graduate roles that are too AI heavy won't necessarily provide graduates long-term career progression.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

“Now they not only lack creativity and innovation in Los Angeles, but compared to other city governments, they’re laggard in implementing new ideas.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026

This progress came from building more cleanly through technological advancement and innovation, not from building less.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

In 2016, Dave resumed work as a certified innovation trainer speaking to corporate groups.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026

This innovation places the vessel at an important transitional stage in ship-building technology.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

"We see our customers responding well to our latest AI-enabled innovations," added the CEO.

From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026

On the positive side of the ledger, analysts say the central bank has introduced a raft of innovations under Lagarde's leadership that could help it cope with a more uncertain world.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

One of their central innovations is the "ousiometer," a tool that rapidly evaluates the essential meaning of large bodies of text and produces an average meaning score.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026

Aston Villa interim boss Brian Sorensen started as a coach in Denmark in 2009 and believes the innovations in women's football coverage are a good thing, even if some do not always work.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Most innovations in the field of child safety are affiliated with— shock of shocks—a new product to be marketed.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

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Related Words

• modernization

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