noun
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the act of renewing or state of being renewed
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something that is renewed
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of renewal
Explanation
Renewal is the act or process of restoring or reviving something, giving it a fresh burst of life. It could be a forest regrowing after a fire, or a person finding new energy after a good rest. The word renewal comes from the idea of making something "new again." In nature, spring is often seen as a time of renewal, when trees sprout fresh leaves, flowers bloom, and warming temperatures lift people's spirits. Societal renewal can involve refocusing on founding principles and ideals. Urban renewal can include updating community parks, rebuilding roads, and renovating buildings, bringing new life to a city. More simply, a renewal might be an official continuation of an expired contract, law, or subscription.
Vocabulary lists containing renewal
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:
These paintings, many completed after Ms. Emin’s cancer surgery, show a degree of artistic renewal and maturation that the exhibition’s title alludes to.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
RIP: Despite a Season 2 renewal earlier this year, Disney just announced “Wonder Man” has been canceled.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
A survey of water industry leaders conducted by the nonprofit American Water Works Assn. this year showed that infrastructure renewal and replacement, and financing for capital improvements were the top two concerns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026
By a vote of 144 in favor, 10 against, and 13 abstentions, the assembly approved the renewal, beginning October 12, 2026, as proposed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
The evening proceeded as all evenings did in the family unit, in the dwelling, in the community: quiet, reflective, a time for renewal and preparation for the day to come.
From "The Giver" by Lois Lowry
As for getting licensed in other states, MacDonald said it would involve hours of paper work and cost about $90,000 to get a license in every state, with periodic renewals required.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026
In both 2015 and 2016, for example, the board froze the rent for one-year lease renewals, and in 2019 and 2020, the board only approved a 1.5% increase.
From Salon ● Jun. 13, 2026
With Arteta's deal - and plans to reward Timber and Rice with renewals - that may be easier said than done.
From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026
He has said he called for early renewals for its stations in part because he believes Disney hasn’t been totally forthcoming in complying with the agency’s requests for information.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026
There was even something to look forward to when school started— renewals of old feuds and friendships, weeks of learning again what one half forgot in the long summer.
From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee
Definitions 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.
