renewable

adjective

re·​new·​able ri-ˈnü-ə-bəl 

-ˈnyü-

1

: capable of being renewed

renewable contracts

2

: capable of being replaced by natural ecological cycles or sound management practices

renewable resources

renewability

ri-ˌnü-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

-ˌnyü-

noun

renewable noun

renewably

ri-ˈnü-ə-blē 

-ˈnyü-

adverb

Examples of renewable in a Sentence

a renewable life insurance policy

Forests are renewable natural resources, but they must be treated with care.

Wind and water are renewable fuel sources.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2023, renewable energy sources accounted for over 50% of Germany’s gross electricity consumption for the first time, reaching nearly 52% for the full year. —Marianne Lehnis, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Over three-quarters of Pakistan’s renewable water resources come from outside its borders—mostly from the Indus Basin, and major cities rely on that for their drinking water. —Simmone Shah, Time, 9 May 2025

These lands are used for grazing, mining, renewable energy projects and events such as Burning Man. —Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025

Like California, Spain has made a rapid transition to renewable energy sources. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for renewable

• chewable
• doable
• viewable
• nonrenewable
• reviewable

Kids Definition

renewable

adjective

re·​new·​able ri-ˈn(y)ü-ə-bəl 

1

: capable of being renewed

2

: capable of being replaced by natural ecological cycles or sound management procedures

renewable resources like water, wildlife, forests, and grasslands