innovation
/ˌɪn.əˈveɪ.ʃən/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: innovations
Sense 1
Meaning · English
The act of innovating; the introduction of something new, in customs, rites, etc.
Noun
Examples
The US supreme court has ruled unanimously that natural human genes cannot be patented, a decision that scientists and civil rights campaigners said removed a major barrier to patient care and medical innovation. […] He said there would be "considerable danger" that without such an exception, the gr
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A change effected by innovating; a change in customs.
Noun
Examples
The others, whose time had been more actively employed, began to shew symptoms of innovation,—"the good wine did its good office." The frost of etiquette, and pride of birth, began to give way before the genial blessings of this benign constellation, and the formal appellatives with which the three
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “innovation” mean?
The act of innovating; the introduction of something new, in customs, rites, etc.
Is “innovation” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.