innovation
Americannoun
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innovations
plural
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something new or different introduced.
numerous innovations in the high school curriculum.
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the act of innovating; introduction of new things or methods.
noun
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something newly introduced, such as a new method or device
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the act of innovating
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
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing innovation
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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The Ingenious Lexicon of Invention
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Western Europe - Introductory
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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:
The innovation minister previously told BBC Scotland some of the discourse around the subject was "wild".
From BBC ● Nov. 14, 2026
One important innovation was the way the AI handles information.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 13, 2026
"But his contributions to American innovation and AI leadership cannot be overstated."
From Barron's ● Nov. 12, 2026
Ideally, investors will want a leader for Nvidia who can balance both Wall Street’s demands and drive innovation, he said, pointing to Huang’s ability do so.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 12, 2026
It was the innovation that made possible all the paintings hanging in the Salon Carré.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
Meanwhile, rapid innovations in demand-side technology mean it is cost-effective to electrify broader swaths of the economy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 12, 2026
The US does not want anyone having a headstart or misusing its innovations.
From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2026
In other sports, technological innovations tend to improve performance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
"We see our customers responding well to our latest AI-enabled innovations," added the CEO.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
One of the great innovations in modern times has been the industri-alization of food.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
