innovation

noun

in·no·va·tion ˌi-nə-ˈvā-shən

Synonyms of innovation next

: a new idea, method, or device : novelty

: the introduction of something new

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.

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Legend shares its name with a previous Royal Caribbean ship that stopped sailing for the line in 2017, partly because the innovations of the Icon Class were informed by those that preceded it. —

Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025 Recognizing the urgent need for innovation in this life-saving sector, Pulse Charter Connect is a beacon of hope. —

Geri Stengel, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 By blending nostalgic inspiration with contemporary innovation, Diesel eyewear captures the energy of today’s youth culture while reinforcing the brand’s relevance in the fashion eyewear market. —

Thomas Waller, WWD, 19 Feb. 2025 In this episode, Kasra Ferdows, an operations management professor at Georgetown University, explains how open digital platforms facilitate innovation and problem solving by making the entire supply chain more transparent to suppliers. —

Harvard Business Review, 19 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for innovation