innovate

verb

in·​no·​vate ˈi-nə-ˌvāt 

innovated; innovating

intransitive verb

: to make changes : do something in a new way

transitive verb

1

: to introduce as or as if new

2

archaic : to effect a change in

The dictates of my father were … not to be altered, innovated, or even discussed …

—Sir Walter Scott

innovator

ˈi-nə-ˌvā-tər 

noun

innovatory

ˈi-nə-və-ˌtȯr-ē 

ˈi-nə-ˌvā-tə-rē

adjective

Synonyms

• begin
• constitute
• establish
• found
• inaugurate
• initiate
• institute
• introduce
• launch
• pioneer
• plant
• set up
• start

Examples of innovate in a Sentence

The company plans to continue innovating and experimenting.

The company innovated a new operating system.

Recent Examples on the Web

This cycle of rapid experimentation allows Unilever to innovate and respond swiftly to consumer preferences, leveraging emergent strategy to drive sustainable growth. —Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024

Colin, stuck in the past, ran Marianne into the ground, but Daniel has been trying to innovate. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024

The team continues to innovate, setting their sights on opening a third space at Handshake — adjacent to their ground-level floor — later in the year. —Megan Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2024

The only clear path forward for Europe is to innovate—or at least embrace it. —Byalex Wood Morton, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin innovatus, past participle of innovare, from in- + novus new — more at new

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

innovate

verb

in·​no·​vate ˈin-ə-ˌvāt 

innovated; innovating

: to introduce something new

innovate a new website

: do something in a new way

innovative

-ˌvāt-iv

adjective

innovator

-ˌvāt-ər 

noun