innovation

[ in-uh-vey-shuhn ]

noun

1. something new or different introduced:

   numerous innovations in the high school curriculum.

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

innovation

/ ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. something newly introduced, such as a new method or device
2. the act of innovating

Derived Forms

• ˌinnoˈvational, adjective
• ˌinnoˈvationist, noun

Other Words From

• inno·vation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of innovation¹

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

Example Sentences

A great way to do that is to stimulate innovation that will make clean energy technology cheaper everywhere.

From Vox

The post How to drive digital innovation necessary during the pandemic appeared first on Search Engine Watch.

From Search Engine Watch

Oracle wants to be a “trusted technology partner” for TikTok, Dana Canedy aims for innovation at Simon & Schuster, and Malala helps put the trials of remote school in perspective.

From Fortune

Under our plan, the annual federal budget for clean-energy innovation would reach $25 billion by 2025.

From MIT Technology Review

In India, the pandemic-linked innovation will soon include a move that could revamp its retail experience.

From Quartz

I often wonder what contributions to art and innovation society would have gathered if not for how it treats trans individuals.

From The Daily Beast

Best Buy is caught up in the breakneck world of technological innovation.

From The Daily Beast

That in itself was a huge innovation, but de Silva says access to markets is still a problem for everyone.

From The Daily Beast

The result was a system not open to alternatives from the outside and with no internal incentives for innovation.

From The Daily Beast

The Macallan collaborations have even extended past photographers to additional masters of their craft focused on innovation.

From The Daily Beast

He was all for change and innovation, and managed to get the principle of formal election to the chairmanship established.

From Project Gutenberg

The parents of the latter resent the innovation; almost every Jewish child receives religious training at home or in cheidar.

From Project Gutenberg

An innovation so convenient and sensible quickly became the universal rule.

From Project Gutenberg

Edward Garden himself could not so have reconciled John to all this innovation with a single whispered word.

From Project Gutenberg

How determined his father had been against such an innovation as electric light, but he had put it in after the old mans death.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• modernization

More About Innovation

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.

Where does innovation come from?

As a word, innovation is not new—the first records of its use in English come from the mid-1500s. But it is based on a root that means “new.” It derives from the Latin verb innovāre, which means “to renew” and includes the root novus, meaning “new” (as seen in words like novel and renovate).

Innovation has always been associated with newness, but not necessarily in a good way. Innovation was sometimes used in the context of religious matters as a way of accusing someone of heresy (the act of going against accepted teachings). During the Industrial Revolution in the 1700s and 1800s, it began to be used more commonly to refer to the rapid advances in technology that were emerging. Today, it most commonly refers not just to inventions but to new ideas, business models, and other methods that are considered innovative, or representative of progress.

In the context of technology and business, innovation commonly involves improving an existing idea or product, or introducing a product to a new market. But sometimes innovation involves coming up with something entirely new that makes all other products obsolete or inferior. Apple’s introduction of the iPhone is often given as an example of an innovation that was a huge step forward. Innovation isn’t limited to products. It can be applied to services, processes, and basic methods of doing things. In the medical field, new medicines and improved artificial limbs are examples of innovation, but other innovations include new ways of making medicines and new ways of performing procedures.

Innovation exists anywhere that people innovate, or introduce change. A painter using color in a new way; a chef fusing cuisines together to make a new dish; a charity organization finding new ways to help people—these are all examples of innovation.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of innovation?

• innovate (verb)
• innovator (noun)
• innovative (adjective)

What are some synonyms for innovation?

• change

What are some words that share a root or word element with innovation? 

 

• novel
• renovate
• novelty

What are some words that often get used in discussing innovation?

 

• product
• idea
• market
• business
• creative
• original

What are some words innovation may be commonly confused with?

 

• invention

 

How is innovation used in real life?

Innovation is commonly associated with new products and technologies, but it is used in the context of any field where change happens or progress is made.

Today for #WomensHistoryMonth, I want to highlight the mother of DNA – Rosalind Franklin. Through ingenuity and perseverance, she discovered that DNA has made up of two strands, instead of a single one. Her work would unlock the key to new scientific discoveries and innovations.

— Dr. John Biggan (@Biggan4Congress) March 2, 2020

The way to move the legal profession forward is to meet people where they are and their reality and work to change it from within. There is a reason why I so firmly believe in incremental innovation and why little things matter. #lawyers #legaltech #innovation

— Colin S. Levy (@Clevy_Law) February 23, 2020

Are you doing all you can to tap into the #innovation that can come from your own teams? Some great insights into how you can create a #culture of innovation in your organisation https://t.co/91JSqVtMOI

— Andrew Baker (@AndrewBakerHR) February 23, 2020

 

 

Try using innovation!

Which of the following terms could be considered the opposite of innovation?

A. transformation
B. upheaval
C. status quo
D. change