innovation

noun

in·​no·​va·​tion ˌi-nə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: a new idea, method, or device : novelty

She is responsible for many innovations in her field.

the latest technological innovations

What was once a wacky innovation has become a fact of getting around.

—Justin Davidson

2

: the introduction of something new

Through technology and innovation, they found ways to get better results with less work.

Live music is nice, but there's a lot of innovation that can happen in the music video.

—Grimes, quoted in Rolling Stone

innovational

ˌi-nə-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Did you know?

What is the difference between innovation and invention?

The words innovation and invention overlap semantically but are really quite distinct.

Invention can refer to a type of musical composition, a falsehood, a discovery, or any product of the imagination. The sense of invention most likely to be confused with innovation is “a device, contrivance, or process originated after study and experiment,” usually something which has not previously been in existence.

Innovation, for its part, can refer to something new or to a change made to an existing product, idea, or field. One might say that the first telephone was an invention, the first cellular telephone either an invention or an innovation, and the first smartphone an innovation.

Synonyms of innovation

• invention
• creation

Examples of innovation in a Sentence

She is responsible for many innovations in her field.

the latest innovation in computer technology

Through technology and innovation, they found ways to get better results with less work.

the rapid pace of technological innovation

Recent Examples on the Web

When government applies the rules consistently, businesses have the confidence to invest, innovation is encouraged, public institutions earn greater trust and the public benefits. — Robin Rossenfeld, Denver Post, 28 Aug. 2026

Local leaders hail the makeover as a turning point for storm-scarred New Orleans, reclaiming a blighted safety-net icon to drive medical innovation and economic revival across the Gulf South. — Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Each innovation removes another moment where humans might connect. — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

And like most other innovations in the brand’s assortment, the formula is buildable, designed to be layered from day to night. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for innovation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

innovation

noun

in·​no·​va·​tion ˌin-ə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the introduction of something new

2

: a new idea, method, or device