urban renewal

noun

: a construction program to replace or restore substandard buildings in an urban area

Examples of urban renewal in a Sentence

an area undergoing urban renewal

Recent Examples on the Web

But in the 1960s, Brooklyn was destroyed in the name of urban renewal. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026

Crook Manifesto traced the corrupt network exploiting urban renewal funding and the wave of arson in the 1970s. — Literary Hub, 28 July 2026

But in Atlanta, the costs fell heavily on communities that had already spent generations navigating segregation, urban renewal, highway construction, and discriminatory housing policies. — Jeffrey Bennett, Time, 17 July 2026

And unlike other parts of West Baltimore claimed by 1970s urban renewal (think of Pennsylvania Avenue theaters), these are standing places. — Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for urban renewal

• intertextual
• psychosexual
• accrual
• nonfuel
• refuel
• biofuel
• contextual
• nonrenewal
• nonsexual
• unusual
• cruel
• dual

Kids Definition

urban renewal

noun

: a construction program for replacing or restoring old or run-down buildings in an urban area