innovate
Americanverb (used without object)
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innovates,
present (3rd person singular)
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innovated,
past participle, past
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innovating
present participle
verb (used with object)
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innovates,
present (3rd person singular)
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innovated,
past participle, past
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innovating
present participle
-
to introduce (something new) for or as if for the first time.
to innovate a computer operating system.
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Archaic. to alter.
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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innovatesimple
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innovatessimple
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have innovatedperfect
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has innovatedperfect
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am innovatingprogressive
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are innovatingprogressive
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is innovatingprogressive
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have been innovatingperfect progressive
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has been innovatingperfect progressive
Past
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innovatedsimple
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had innovatedperfect
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was innovatingprogressive
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were innovatingprogressive
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had been innovatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of innovate
First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin innovātus, past participle of innovāre “to renew, alter,” equivalent to in- intensive prefix + novātus, past participle of novā(re) “to renew,” verbal derivative of novus “new” + -tus past participle suffix); see in- 2, new
Explanation
Innovate means to bring something new to something. If you love cranberry seltzers, you might innovate by adding limeade or by making the drink with cran-raspberry juice instead. In our culture obsessed with finding the next new thing, the word innovate is very popular––behind every "new and improved" label slapped onto the packaging of some perfectly useful product is some eager beaver buried in the ranks of a company, scheming ways to innovate.
Vocabulary lists containing innovate
A Résumé of Active Words
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Academic Vocabulary, Units 4–6
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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.
See Examples For:
With rentals belly up and access to films democratized, there was no further push to innovate, no concerted attempt to compete with the real Hollywood studios.
From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2026
They say the decision is sort of to make space to innovate the live show and incorporate new things.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
"After this decision, we want to make sure that there is more competition and also other companies are able to innovate," she said.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Lockheed said its backlog is at a record $230 billion, and it continues “to innovate at the speed our customers’ missions demand.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
She prudently replied, that as she would not innovate any thing, she would still protect them in the immunities and privileges of which she found them possessed.
From The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part D. From Elizabeth to James I. by David Hume
A Nike spokeswoman said that more diverse interests in China plays to Nike’s strengths as a company that innovates across sporting categories.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026
From August 2025: Apple no longer innovates — it waits.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 21, 2026
Besson innovates with a subplot about Dracul’s foray into the world of perfume as he develops an intoxicating fragrance in Florence using French lavender, testing the potion on the pre-Revolution socialites in towering white-powdered wigs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 2026
Peter Wennink, ASML’s chief executive, said a lack of money in the company’s early years had led it to integrate inventions from specialty suppliers, creating what he calls a “collaborative knowledge network” that innovates quickly.
From New York Times ● Jul. 4, 2021
But in religion it is always the zealous sect which innovates, which progresses, and which has influence.
From The Life of Jesus by Ernest Renan
“It’s possible that we’ve innovated with plants under more scrutiny than any other company ever,” he added.
From MarketWatch ● May 6, 2026
Further, American growers have not just decreased imports and increased their exports over the years, they’ve also innovated on the plant itself.
From Salon ● May 6, 2026
The authorities innovated too to try to boost uptake.
From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2026
In addition to focusing on its flagship Pepsi brand, the company has innovated in various ways as consumers become more interested in health and wellness.
From Barron's ● Mar. 5, 2026
Tristan und Isolde is an out-and-out masterpiece, with sweeping, yearning themes, deserving of its place in music’s pantheon, whatever it may or may not have innovated.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
The key is to keep innovating, according to Bedford.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
“It is during this period that leading companies find ways to differentiate themselves by innovating, delivering new and superior solutions, and driving durable growth. This is where PayPal needs to focus.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
As someone who is perennially image-conscious, constantly innovating, and occasionally rash, it’s not surprising that an artist like Madonna would incorporate new technology into her art.
From Salon ● Jul. 8, 2026
“Our approach is, instead of innovating on the chemistry side of things, let’s innovate on the way that the batteries are made,” says Elias.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
For Héloïse and Abélard were not merely among the finest intellects of the Middle Ages; they were both, in different ways, to the highest degree passionately innovating natures.
From Renaissance Fancies and Studies Being a Sequel to Euphorion by Vernon Lee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
