innovation

American  

[in-uh-vay-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

That creates a “unique window” to invest in deep tech that can support AI demand, said Gryseels, who previously led McKinsey’s technology and innovation practice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

"Contracts can prohibit reuse because they don't want it on the market or there might be a particular innovation that they want to hold back," Czutkowna says.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

Like most of Europe, Denmark struggles to compete with Silicon Valley on innovation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026

The SEC came up with this innovation exemption, which allows just that, and we were one of the first to file notice with the SEC that we intend to launch it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

The discovery of America was crucial in legitimizing innovation because within forty years no one disputed that it really was an unprecedented event, and one that could not be ignored.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Recent innovations range from Minerva University’s borderless campus to Paul Quinn College’s urban work model.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

Garcia at Ostirion agreed, saying that while innovations used to take decades to implement, "with AI and other robotic applications, everything is moving much faster".

From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026

Many of the innovations of WSC – coloured clothing and day-night cricket among them – shaped the game as we know it today.

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

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

Necessity spurred technological innovations that offered the public unprecedented access to its heroes.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• modernization