renewable

[ ri-noo, -nyoo ]

adjective

1. able to be renewed:

   a library book that is not renewable.

noun

1. something that is renewable.

renewable

/ rĭ-no̅o̅′ə-bəl /

1. Relating to a natural resource, such as solar energy, water, or wood, that is never used up or that can be replaced by new growth. Resources that are dependent on regrowth can sometimes be depleted beyond the point of renewability, as when the deforestation of land leads to desertification or when a commercially valuable species is harvested to extinction. Pollution can also make a renewable resource such as water unusable in a particular location.
2. Compare nonrenewable

Other Words From

• re·newa·bili·ty noun
• nonre·newa·ble adjective
• unre·newa·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of renewable¹

First recorded in 1720–30; renew + -able

Example Sentences

Stocks for companies in industries that Trump has repeatedly attacked—renewable energy, vaccines—understandably sank.

From Slate

He added that Washington was also working on a deal passed last year in Dubai to triple renewable power by 2030.

From BBC

Phillips 66, which has operated the refineries since its 2012 spin off from ConocoPhillips, said it would replace their output with sources “inside and outside its refining network” and with renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels from its San Francisco Bay Area refinery.

From Los Angeles Times

That could hurt California, which is becoming more reliant on renewable energy.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump also plans to roll back Biden’s efforts to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and repeal federal subsidies for solar, wind and other renewable energy projects — important parts of California’s drive to wean itself from fossil fuels.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inexhaustible
• sustainable