renewable

adjective re·new·able \ ri-ˈnü-ə-bəl , -ˈnyü- \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

1 : capable of being renewed

renewable contracts

2 : capable of being replaced by natural ecological cycles or sound management practices

renewable resources

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renewability

play \ri-ˌnü-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌnyü-\ noun

—

renewable

noun

—

renewably

play \ri-ˈnü-ə-blē, -ˈnyü-\ adverb

See renewable defined for English-language learners

See renewable defined for kids

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 of renewable from the Web

IEnova has also moved into the renewable energy sector, spending about $900 million on a wind energy farm with 84 turbines in the state of Nuevo León and taking an active role in wrapping up power agreements for solar projects.

— rob nikolewski, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Sempra subsidiary in Mexico to spend $130 million on terminal in Baja," 13 Apr. 2018
The recurring excessive discharges landed the Forest County Potawatomi community's renewable energy facility atop MMSD's 2017 list of local industries in significant noncompliance with permitted pollution discharge limits.

— don behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Potawatomi's $20 million waste-to-energy plant violated wastewater permit with excessive discharges," 12 Apr. 2018
The government is looking at expanding the fund’s environmental related mandates to also possibly include renewable energy infrastructure, according to Jensen.

— mikael holter, Bloomberg.com, "Norway Once Again Rejects Private Equity for $1 Trillion Fund," 10 Apr. 2018
Atlas Air Worldwide disclosed nearly 1,800 more pilots are flying under contracts that became renewable in 2016.

— alexander coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "Pilots behind Amazon, DHL delivery to protest at CVG airport, say service at risk," 9 Apr. 2018
FirstEnergy's request has drawn fierce opposition from companies and trade groups across the energy industry, including natural gas and renewable energy interests.

— ari natter, Houston Chronicle, "Trump looks for emergency aid for battered coal, nuclear," 6 Apr. 2018
Solar energy, while a renewable and more sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources, usually relies on natural gas as a backup in low-sunlight conditions.

— austen erblat, Sun-Sentinel.com, "FPL gets site plan and plat approval for Westlake solar plant," 6 Apr. 2018
The Moody’s report says that because of the low cost of renewable and natural gas power plants, the firm considers operating costs of $30 a megawatt hour to be the breakeven point.

— rye druzin, San Antonio Express-News, "Moody’s: Newest San Antonio coal plant economically challenged," 6 Apr. 2018
China also grew its renewable energy budget in general.

— megan geuss, Ars Technica, "Solar is so hot right now: Context for 2017’s 98 GW of photovoltaic panels," 6 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'renewable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of renewable

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in the meaning defined at sense 1

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RENEWABLE Defined for English Language Learners

renewable

adjective

: able to be extended for another time period : able to be renewed
: restored or replaced by natural processes : able to be replaced by nature

RENEWABLE Defined for Kids

renewable

adjective re·new·able \ ri-ˈnü-ə-bəl , -ˈnyü- \

: capable of being replaced by natural processes

Forests are a renewable resource.

Learn More about renewable

See words that rhyme with renewable Spanish Central: Translation of renewable Nglish: Translation of renewable for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of renewable for Arabic speakers

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