innovation

innovation — noun

1. A new idea, device, or method that people create and begin to use, often changin

1.nounB2
Definition

A new idea, device, or method that people create and begin to use, often changing how ordinary tasks are done.

Example

Eitan designed a clever innovation for charging phones without cables.

countable noun with article 'a'

The new app was one of the most important innovations in online education.

Common collocations
  • important innovation
  • recent innovation
  • latest innovation
  • major innovation
  • technological innovation
  • medical innovation
  • introduce an innovation
  • develop an innovation
Synonyms
  • invention

    Focuses on creating something entirely new, especially a device or machine; innovation can also improve what already exists.

  • breakthrough

    A major, dramatic innovation that solves a long-standing problem; stronger and less common than innovation.

  • development

    A broader term for any new step forward; may be smaller or less original than an innovation.

Antonyms
  • imitation

    Copies what already exists rather than creating something new.

Grammar Patterns

innovation + in + [field/area]

Usage Note

Countable — you can use a/an before it and form a plural (innovations). Often followed by in + noun phrase to specify the field (e.g., an innovation in medicine).

Common Mistakes

He had an innovation idea.
He had an innovative idea.
innovation is a noun; the adjective innovative is used before a noun.
The innovation of this phone is great.' (when meaning a single feature).
This phone has a great innovation in its camera design.
specify what the innovation is.

2. The activity of creating and introducing new ideas, methods, or products, especi

2.nounB2
Definition

The activity of creating and introducing new ideas, methods, or products, especially in business, science, or technology, with the aim of making improvements.

Example

The company invests heavily in research and innovation every year.

uncountable noun — no article

Innovation in renewable energy has helped to reduce pollution around the world.

innovation + in + [field] showing the process

Common collocations
  • drive innovation
  • foster innovation
  • promote innovation
  • encourage innovation
  • culture of innovation
  • pace of innovation
  • research and innovation
Synonyms
  • modernization

    Focuses on updating existing systems; innovation emphasizes creating something new rather than just updating.

  • creativity

    The ability to come up with new ideas; innovation also includes putting those ideas into practice.

  • progress

    A broader term for forward movement; innovation is one driver of progress.

Antonyms
  • stagnation

    A state where nothing new is developed or introduced.

Grammar Patterns

innovation + in + [field/area]

Usage Note

Uncountable — no article (a/an) and no plural form. Describes the general activity or approach rather than a single new item. Common in business, academic, and policy contexts as a desirable quality or goal.

Common Mistakes

Innovations is important for a company.
Innovation is important for a company.
when speaking about the process in general, use the uncountable form without -s.
The innovation is the key to success.
Innovation is the key to success.
when referring to the general concept, omit the.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe something new, but they differ in scope and emphasis. An invention is a completely new device or process created for the first time — the telephone was an invention. A breakthrough is a major, dramatic advance that solves a long-standing problem, such as a cure for a disease. A development is a broader, often smaller step forward that builds on what already exists — a new software update is a development. A discovery is finding something that already existed but was unknown, like a new planet or a chemical element. Innovation sits between invention and development: it can be entirely new or an improvement on something existing, but it always involves introducing a new idea or method into practical use. For example, the smartphone was an invention, but adding a fingerprint sensor to unlock it was an innovation — it improved an existing product in a useful way.

invention ↗breakthrough ↗development ↗discovery ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • culture of innovation
  • rate of innovation
  • innovation and entrepreneurship
  • innovation in + [field]

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Innovation comes from the Latin verb innovare, meaning 'to renew or change', which is made up of in- ('into') and novus ('new'). It passed into English through French in the mid-1500s, originally referring to the introduction of new legal or religious practices. By the 1900s it had broadened to describe new ideas and methods in industry, science, and everyday life.