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

See Examples For:

renovation renovations

"And this renovation will not prevent a single neo-Nazi from making the pilgrimage to Braunau."

From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026

Bisignano is one of the cathedral’s trustees, a group that at the time was responsible for raising funds for the historic $175 million renovation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

After a year-long renovation, the Denair, Calif., home has a huge kitchen with space for the commercial meat slicer that Victor uses to cut a leg of prosciutto at family events.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

The Academy Award-winning star and her husband, director Taylor Hackford, have relisted their longtime Hollywood Hills estate for just a touch under $13 million after completing an extensive renovation at the storied property.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026

“I decided to start a family renovation business. Jonah’s all in. Right, Jonah?”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

LeBrun's quest for change began after Amira Choice was contacted by local government saying it had broken the rules by serving champagne at an event in April 2025 following renovations.

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2026

If your father disagrees with renovations, who gets the final say?

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026

On its return to France in late 2027, the tapestry will be reinstalled at its museum in Bayeux, which is currently closed for renovations, before undergoing a delicate and long-delayed restoration.

From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026

Some of the renovations have been successful; fountains are running anew, including the long-dormant cascading water feature at the city’s popular Meridian Hill Park.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026

During those weeks and months after the bombing, I kept on helping Pastor Cross while we waited for workers to complete the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church renovations.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

Related Words

• improvement
• renewal
• repair
• restoration
• upgrade