renewable

adjective

re·​new·​able ri-ˈnü-ə-bəl How to pronounce renewable (audio)
-ˈnyü-
1
: capable of being renewed
renewable contracts
2
: capable of being replaced by natural ecological cycles or sound management practices
renewable resources
renewability noun
renewable noun
renewably adverb

Examples of renewable in a Sentence

a renewable life insurance policy Forests are renewable natural resources, but they must be treated with care. Wind and water are renewable fuel sources.
Recent Examples on the Web Measuring emissions by intensity means a company can technically increase its fossil fuel output and overall emissions while using offsets or adding renewable energy or biofuels to its product mix. Reuters, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 The company has also announced sustainability targets that include using 100 percent renewable energy at sites and stores by 2026 via the LIFE 360 program—not to mention the preservation of 12.4 million acres of habitat for flora and fauna worldwide by 2030. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 That trend accelerated as great power conflicts bubbled over. Both China and the United States moved to forge their own reliable semiconductor supply chains, in addition to supporting other critical sectors like renewable energy and electric vehicles. Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Even as solar and wind farms sprout up around the world, however, the very idea of renewable energy has come under attack in Australia. Michael E. Miller, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Neighboring Vermont has already been producing nearly 100% renewable energy since 2015. Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024 Green hydrogen is made using renewable energy—solar, wind, hydro, nuclear—with no CO2 byproduct. Alan Murray, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 This opens up new markets and opportunities for innovation so that sustainable practices and renewable energy can drive both environmental impact and business growth. Anna C Mallon, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The 60-year-old’s new position comes less than two years after her husband set a succession plan in motion for the $236 billion conglomerate, which spans retail, technology and renewable energy. Diksha Madhok, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'renewable.' 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

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of renewable was in 1661

Dictionary Entries Near renewable

Cite this Entry

“Renewable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/renewable. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

renewable

adjective
re·​new·​able ri-ˈn(y)ü-ə-bəl How to pronounce renewable (audio)
1
: capable of being renewed
2
: capable of being replaced by natural ecological cycles or sound management procedures
renewable resources like water, wildlife, forests, and grasslands

More from Merriam-Webster on renewable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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