renovate
verb (used with object)
to restore to good condition; make new or as if new again; repair.
were renovating
-
past progressiveof renovate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
According to Roman, the fire began while contractors were renovating the roof, on the third floor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2026
In October of 2019, the Gaines announced they were renovating an old 53,000-square-foot building in Waco and flipping it into a hotel.
From Fox News ● Jul. 15, 2021
Local developers were renovating a 1917 auto-parts shop, Central Agency Building, on 10th Avenue and Seneca Street.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 8, 2019
We were renovating our new house and needed the money.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2017
Mohamed, my best friend, couldn’t come because he and his father were renovating their thatched- roof kitchen that day.
From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah
