renewable

Pronunciation

• IPA: UK /rɪˈnjuː.ə.bəl/, US /rɪˈnuː.ə.bəl/^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from renew and -able.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Capable of being renewed, as a lease: 1727.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

Merriam-Webster dates its first use to 1869.^[4] Of a source of energy, not depleted by use, it is attested by 1971,^[2][3] and the noun, a renewable source of energy, often in the plural, from 1974.^[3][5]

Timeline

• 1727 – capable of being renewed.^[2][3]
• 1971 – renewable energy.^[2][3]
• 1974 – renewables (noun).^[3]

Modern meaning

Adjective

1. Capable of being renewed: a renewable lease.
2. Of energy or a resource, not used up when used, or replaced by natural cycles: renewable energy.

Noun

1. A renewable source of energy, usually in the plural.

Word family

• renewability
• renewably
• nonrenewable
• unrenewable
• renewable energy

Related words

• renew
• new
• renewal

References

1. ^ Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (2009), 5th ed., Harlow: Pearson Longman
2. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
4. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ The Chambers Dictionary (2008), 11th ed., Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap