renewable

adjective

re·​new·​able ri-ˈnü-ə-bəl 

-ˈnyü-

1

: capable of being renewed

renewable contracts

2

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

renewable resources

renewability

ri-ˌnü-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

-ˌnyü-

noun

renewable noun

renewably

ri-ˈnü-ə-blē 

-ˈnyü-

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

In 2023, South Korea needed a major renewable expansion -- about 8 gigawatts of new wind annually -- to meet net-zero goals, think tank Agora Energiewende said. —Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026

Analysts said a unique component of the fallout from the Iran war is that, unlike in previous oil shocks, renewable power has become more competitive in many countries around the world. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026

With increasing demand for carbon-free energy, countries are looking beyond renewable sources. —Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026

Anti-nuclear activists still argue that renewable energy like wind and solar are safer and more economical. —Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for renewable

• chewable
• doable
• viewable
• nonrenewable
• reviewable

Kids Definition

renewable

adjective

re·​new·​able ri-ˈn(y)ü-ə-bəl 

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