innovation

noun

in·​no·​va·​tion ˌi-nə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: a new idea, method, or device : novelty

2

: the introduction of something new

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

• 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

The innovation is part of a growing effort to merge menstrual care with wearable health technology, turning everyday products into tools for early disease detection and better reproductive health monitoring. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025

Upstream Focus is Sourcing Journal’s series of conversations with suppliers, associations and sourcing professionals to get their insights on the state of sourcing, innovations in manufacturing and how to improve operations. —Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Oct. 2025

In the absence of a clear chain of command and accountability, industry regulators are more likely to impose broad, restrictive, stifling innovation and creating significant compliance burdens. —Nelson Lim, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025

For a company like Tesla, dumping the AM/FM radio to cut costs does not exactly scream innovation. —Patrick George, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025

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