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

It is probably no coincidence that the rise of the current AI excitement coincided with a more inward-looking technorati spurning major institutions—whether that be government, regulators, media or any group perceived as slowing their innovation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026

This fall she starts as music director of the Ulster Orchestra, bringing innovation to techy Ireland.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

Warsh’s speech, which is expected to hit this year’s theme of financial innovation, might leave the subject of the Treasury’s recent intervention untouched.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026

But innovation will remain a hard sell so long as users remain entranced by the big blur, where art becomes media, media becomes content, and content becomes time tossed into the wind.

From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026

My comparison of the histories of China, the Indian subcontinent, and Europe in the epilogue of GGS suggested an answer to this question as applied to technological innovation in whole countries.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

As a result, the evolutionary path, anatomical innovations, and ecological adaptations involved in insect terrestrialization have remained poorly understood.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 27, 2026

Breakfast burritos in L.A. are canvases for individual creative expression, innovations that graft global cuisines or basic energy bombs to fuel the day.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

He added that the bill “will keep us ahead of China, keep us ahead of everyone else, will open the door to the next wave of innovations and innovators.”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026

“The Pop-Tart is one of the great American innovations in history,” Rubio responded.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

In typical American fashion, bold innovations and clever ideas to meet the demand for illegal alcohol would ultimately impact American life forever.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• modernization