renewable

[ ri-noo, -nyoo ]
/ rɪˈnu, -ˈnyu /

adjective

able to be renewed: a library book that is not renewable.

noun

something that is renewable.

Origin of renewable

First recorded in 1720–30; renew + -able

OTHER WORDS FROM renewable

re·new·a·bil·i·ty, noun non·re·new·a·ble, adjective un·re·new·a·ble, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for renewable

Scientific definitions for renewable

renewable
[ rĭ-nōōə-bəl ]

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. Compare nonrenewable.