renovation

American  

[ren-uh-vey-shuhn] / ˌrɛn əˈveɪ ʃən /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of renovation

First recorded in 1400–50, for an earlier sense; from Latin renovātiōn-, stem of renovātiō “renewal”; 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

On Tuesday, prosecutors from Pirro’s office showed up unannounced at the construction site for the Fed renovation and were turned away, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

The investigation centers on the central bank’s $2.5 billion renovation of two historic office buildings and a few minutes of Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony to Congress last summer about the construction project.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The investigation centers on cost overruns tied to a renovation of the Fed’s Washington headquarters and Powell’s testimony to Congress about the project.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

The La Brea Tar Pits’ Page Museum will close in July for a two-year renovation that will modernize the building and make it more accessible.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

It’s a brownstone under renovation; Astrid and Donald, expecting their first child, are in the process of expanding their domain from a single floor of the house to the top three.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

• improvement
• renewal
• repair
• restoration
• upgrade