renovation

American  

[ren-uh-vey-shuhn] / ˌrɛn əˈveɪ ʃən /

noun

renovations plural

1. the act or process of repairing, renewing, or restoring to good condition.

   The project will include interior and exterior renovation and rehabilitation to upgrade the school’s infrastructure.

2. the act of reinvigorating or reviving.

   The transition to organic growing will require an investment of labor and capital to complete the orchard renovation, install new plantings, and build economic viability.

3. Usually renovations something that has been repaired or restored to a better condition, or the work done to repair or restore something.

   Renovations to the theater include new doors and windows, a new lighting system, and a refurbished floor for the stage.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• renovations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of renovation

First recorded in 1400–50, for an earlier sense; from Latin renovātiōn-, stem of renovātiō “renewal”; see renovate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does renovation compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• renovation vs. remodel

Explanation

Renovation is the act of renewing or restoring something. If your kitchen is undergoing a renovation, there’s probably plaster and paint all over the place and you should probably get take-out. The roots of renovation refer to newness and doing something again — it’s from the Latin re- for "again" and novare which means, "make new.” A rundown building is in need of renovation, or a website that's being redesigned is under renovation. After renovation, things look new and improved. Before the word underwent renovation, in the early 15th century, renovacyoun meant "spiritual rebirth,” which is how you might feel after your kitchen is redone.

Example Sentences

The high-rise building under renovation that buckled in the heart of Manhattan, forcing the evacuation of thousands of local residents and workers, is now "stable," New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Wednesday.

From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026

The Communist Party of Vietnam in 1986 launched a program called Doi Moi, or renovation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026

The Hollywood Bowl was founded in 1922, and the current physical structure — its seventh iteration — dates to a 2004 renovation that also marked the beginning of its partnership with L’Acoustics.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2026

At the time, the actress, who shot to fame while starring in the hit Nickelodeon series alongside her twin sister, Tia Mowry, admitted that the renovation represented a new chapter in her family’s life.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 2, 2026

The renovation provided an opportunity to add a new feature to the White House—an atomic bomb shelter.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• improvement
• renewal
• repair
• restoration
• upgrade