renew

American  

[ri-noo, -nyoo] / rɪˈnu, -ˈnyu /

verb (used with object)

1. to begin or take up again, as an acquaintance, a conversation, etc.; resume.

2. to make effective for an additional period.

   to renew a lease.

3. to restore or replenish.

   to renew a stock of goods.

   Synonyms:

   restock

4. to make, say, or do again.

5. to revive; reestablish.

6. to recover (youth, strength, etc.).

7. to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again.

   Synonyms:

   mend, reinstate, regenerate, rejuvenate, re-create

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verb (used without object)

1. to begin again; recommence.

2. to renew a lease, note, etc.

3. to be restored to a former state; become new or as if new again.

renew British  

/ rɪˈnjuː /

verb

1. to take up again

2. (also intr) to begin (an activity) again; recommence

   to renew an attempt

3. to restate or reaffirm (a promise, etc)

4. (also intr) to make (a lease, licence, or contract) valid or effective for a further period

5. to extend the period of loan of (a library book)

6. to regain or recover (vigour, strength, activity, etc)

7. to restore to a new or fresh condition

8. to replace (an old or worn-out part or piece)

9. to replenish (a supply, etc)

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Related Words

Renew, renovate, repair, restore suggest making something the way it formerly was. To renew means to bring back to an original condition of freshness and vigor: to renew one's enthusiasm. Renovate means to do over or make good any dilapidation of something: to renovate an old house. To repair is to put into good or sound condition; to make good any injury, damage, wear and tear, decay, etc.; to mend: to repair the roof of a house. To restore is to bring back to its former place or position something which has faded, disappeared, been lost, etc., or to reinstate a person in rank or position: to restore a king to his throne.

Other Word Forms

• renewability
  noun
• renewable
  adjective
• renewably
  adverb
• renewer
  noun
• self-renewing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of renew

First recorded in 1325–75, renew is from the Middle English word renewen. See re-, new

Explanation

If you make something like new, you renew it. When you catch up with an old friend you haven't seen in a long time, you renew your friendship. To renew is to make new again. If you get a new due date for your library books, you've renewed them. If you forget to renew them, your books will be overdue, and you may have to pay a fine. Renew also means to revive, restore, or cause to appear in a new form. Historically, all kinds of tonics have claimed to renew a person's health, but many of the early ones actually contained poisons that could kill you.

Example Sentences

"The United States is making a miscalculation that is not only dangerous but could be painful," Renew group's Hayer said in a statement.

From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026

Mr. Kasparov is a co-founder of the World Liberty Congress and chairman of the Renew Democracy Initiative.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

“Act Now — Renew your U.S. Passport!” was the subject line, prompting me to check to make sure the message wasn’t spam.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2025

“This is really terrifying,” Nathalie Loiseau, former French Europe minister under President Emmanuel Macron and now a lawmaker in the European Parliament's Renew Europe group, posted on X.

From Salon • Nov. 15, 2024

Renew our voyage, accompanied by two of the natives.

From Voyages from Montreal Through the Continent of North America to the Frozen and Pacific Oceans in 1789 and 1793 Vol. II by Mackenzie, Alexander

Related Words

• continue
• extend
• prolong
• reaffirm
• reestablish
• reopen
• repeat
• restate
• restore
• resume
• revive