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.

As the world shifts toward electrification and renewable energy, demand for lithium has surged dramatically.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026

The answer to keep feeding the AI beast: upgrade the power grid and incorporate renewable energy sources.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Stegra, formerly known as H2 Green Steel, is building a large-scale steel mill in northern Sweden that will replace the coal traditionally used for iron ore-based steelmaking with hydrogen produced from renewable energy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Countries around the world are rushing to add renewable energy such as solar power after the Iran war throttled Middle East oil and gas supplies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

The United States and the rest of the world must turn to renewable energy, also called green energy.

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