innovate

verb

in·​no·​vate ˈi-nə-ˌvāt How to pronounce innovate (audio)
innovated; innovating
Synonyms of innovatenext

intransitive verb

: to make changes : do something in a new way

transitive verb

1
: to introduce as or as if new
2
archaic : to effect a change in
The dictates of my father were … not to be altered, innovated, or even discussed …Sir Walter Scott
innovator noun
innovatory
ˈi-nə-və-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce innovate (audio)
ˈi-nə-ˌvā-tə-rē
adjective

Examples of innovate in a Sentence

The company plans to continue innovating and experimenting. The company innovated a new operating system.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As a heritage brand with deep roots—founded in 1853 in what is now Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood—the brand has innovated from horsehair and straw beds to even more premium natural materials like cotton batting. Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2026 Her curiosity led her to recently publish a comprehensive literature review describing the ways that people have put roadkill to use—and in some cases, innovated new research methods. Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2026 Stanley may have more than a century of history under its company belt, but that doesn't mean the famous tumbler maker is done innovating on the classics. Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026 Modern jean-makers like to play with shape, innovating by combining two types of jean styles together. Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for innovate

Word History

Etymology

Latin innovatus, past participle of innovare, from in- + novus new — more at new

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of innovate was in 1548

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Innovate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innovate. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

innovate

verb
in·​no·​vate ˈin-ə-ˌvāt How to pronounce innovate (audio)
innovated; innovating
: to introduce something new
innovate a new website
: do something in a new way
innovative
-ˌvāt-iv
adjective
innovator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on innovate

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