innovate

verb

in·​no·​vate ˈi-nə-ˌvāt 

innovated; innovating

intransitive verb

: to make changes : do something in a new way

transitive verb

1

: to introduce as or as if new

2

archaic : to effect a change in

The dictates of my father were … not to be altered, innovated, or even discussed …

—Sir Walter Scott

innovator

ˈi-nə-ˌvā-tər 

noun

innovatory

ˈi-nə-və-ˌtȯr-ē 

ˈi-nə-ˌvā-tə-rē

adjective

Synonyms

• begin
• constitute
• establish
• found
• inaugurate
• initiate
• institute
• introduce
• launch
• pioneer
• plant
• set up
• start

Examples of innovate in a Sentence

The company plans to continue innovating and experimenting.

The company innovated a new operating system.

Recent Examples on the Web

While giving her room to innovate, which is a chief goal of charter schools, the board monitored her enrollment numbers and staffing. —Eli Hager, ProPublica, 31 Dec. 2024

Despite the turnover, the Rays continue to innovate and regenerate. —The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024

One way to move forward is seeing generational differences as an opportunity to innovate, not a challenge to fix. —Aparna Rae, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

To continue to innovate its stores and showrooms, Cucinelli last year invested approximately 108 million euros, with an impact on sales of 8.5 percent. —Luisa Zargani, WWD, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin innovatus, past participle of innovare, from in- + novus new — more at new

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

innovate

verb

in·​no·​vate ˈin-ə-ˌvāt 

innovated; innovating

: to introduce something new

innovate a new website

: do something in a new way

innovative

-ˌvāt-iv

adjective

innovator

-ˌvāt-ər 

noun