innovation

American  

[in-uh-vey-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

Etymology

Origin of innovation

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

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

State of Fashion report, as San Francisco’s RealReal, Redwood City’s Poshmark, Oakland’s ThredUp and others used Silicon Valley innovation to streamline listing, finding and delivering secondhand products.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

Newsom, in his veto message at the time, cited concerns about stifling innovation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

A massive drawdown in stocks under the thematic investing theme of disruptive innovation is a risk to consider with such a fund, particularly if the selloff turned out to be broad across the portfolio.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026

Dr Greg Brown, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, said the entries from the 18th year of the competition demonstrated "skill and innovation" coupled with improvements in technology.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

This was the beginning of an American innovation, the penitentiary.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Money supply deserves attention, Mr. Warsh says, even though financial innovations and other factors affect the speed at which currency changes hands.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

The Harvard Office of Technology Development is actively pursuing patent protection and commercialization opportunities for the innovations arising from this research.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 12, 2026

Commercial-scale production will start at the end of 2026, but it has taken 10 years to get to this point – the very definition of the time and investment required for so-called Deep Tech innovations.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

Shanghai is emerging as a favored destination for patients from America and other rich countries who are seeking innovations in biotechnology.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

Nevertheless, it has been claimed that the innovations of Galileo, Hooke and Huygens made possible the geared machinery of the Industrial Revolution.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• modernization