innovation
noun
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
Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Are there new innovations to be found in marketing and building a more active booster community?
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2025
Our mission is to spotlight fresh perspectives across the sport and entertainment landscape, driven by Zig Zag’s dedication to innovation and forging meaningful connections with audiences.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
Much like Korean grooming products, Japan’s self-care exports lead the charge in innovation, as well as affordability.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for innovation
Cite this Entry
“Innovation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innovation. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
innovation
noun
Share