innovation

noun

in·​no·​va·​tion ˌi-nə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: a new idea, method, or device : novelty

She is responsible for many innovations in her field.

the latest technological innovations

What was once a wacky innovation has become a fact of getting around.

—Justin Davidson

2

: the introduction of something new

Through technology and innovation, they found ways to get better results with less work.

Live music is nice, but there's a lot of innovation that can happen in the music video.

—Grimes, quoted in Rolling Stone

innovational

ˌi-nə-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Did you know?

What is the difference between innovation and invention?

The words innovation and invention overlap semantically but are really quite distinct.

Invention can refer to a type of musical composition, a falsehood, a discovery, or any product of the imagination. The sense of invention most likely to be confused with innovation is “a device, contrivance, or process originated after study and experiment,” usually something which has not previously been in existence.

Innovation, for its part, can refer to something new or to a change made to an existing product, idea, or field. One might say that the first telephone was an invention, the first cellular telephone either an invention or an innovation, and the first smartphone an innovation.

Synonyms of innovation

• invention
• creation

Examples of innovation in a Sentence

She is responsible for many innovations in her field.

the latest innovation in computer technology

Through technology and innovation, they found ways to get better results with less work.

the rapid pace of technological innovation

Recent Examples on the Web

Ukraine’s most important innovation may be its ability to integrate tactical drones, operational strike systems, strategic drone campaigns, artillery, aircraft and conventional ground forces into a mutually reinforcing system. —Hunter Lacroix, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2026

That changed as Americans wholeheartedly embraced the automobile and a new innovation—the drive-in gasoline station—proliferated at an astonishing rate across the country. —Daniel Yergin, Time, 20 June 2026

Known for its world-class universities and innovation economy, Cambridge boasts the highest percentage of bachelor's degree holders among small cities. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

Gautam Mukunda writes about corporate management and innovation. —Gautam Mukunda, Mercury News, 20 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for innovation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

innovation

noun

in·​no·​va·​tion ˌin-ə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the introduction of something new

2

: a new idea, method, or device