renewable energy

American

noun

any naturally occurring, theoretically inexhaustible source of energy, as biomass, solar, wind, tidal, wave, and hydroelectric power, that is not derived from fossil or nuclear fuel.

renewable energy British

noun

another name for alternative energy

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of renewable energy

First recorded in 1970–75

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.

Achieving that security will require building nuclear power plants, rolling out renewable energy and accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles, according to Goldman Sachs economists.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Meanwhile, offshore and marine company Seatrium’s order wins might improve, as higher oil prices tend to drive oil and renewable energy producers to accelerate or add to projects.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

“The renewable energy story is highly interconnected to the energy independence story.”

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

These rising renewable energy employment figures, along with accomplishments such as those in Australia, are truly encouraging.

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023