innovation

noun

in·​no·​va·​tion ˌi-nə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce innovation (audio)
1
: a new idea, method, or device : novelty
2
: the introduction of something new
innovational 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.

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 An innovation that initially looked capable of reducing fossil-fuel consumption while also helping farmers prosper is rapidly turning into an environmental time bomb. Fred Pearce, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2024 Great industrial innovations of the past sometimes threatened the jobs of America’s working class: Remember those stories about robots replacing workers on the assembly line? USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 And when that innovation leads to major insights, a firm needs to be able to capitalize on those signals quickly, Durn added. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 Notable deaths in 2024 A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity. David Morgan, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024 This watch is another notch in the belt of innovation for them in this department. Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 Local elections officials had been leaders in adopting more widespread voting by mail and the use of drop-off ballot boxes, among other innovations. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024 As companies increasingly recognize the value of diverse perspectives in driving innovation, the co-CEO structure provides a framework to enhance strategic agility and intellectual capital. Dean Debiase, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 For instance, Level 3 engineers can focus on innovation, moving the business forward and putting people to work at the highest operational efficiency while junior staff are empowered to take on new responsibilities—guided by AI. Dave Link, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'innovation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of innovation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near innovation

Cite this Entry

“Innovation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innovation. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

innovation

noun
in·​no·​va·​tion ˌin-ə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce innovation (audio)
1
: the introduction of something new
2
: a new idea, method, or device

More from Merriam-Webster on innovation

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