renewal

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   The act of extending an agreement, contract, or official document so it stays valid.

   Grammar: Often used with of: renewal of the lease. Can be countable: a renewal every year.

   Patterns

   • renewal of something
   • contract renewal
   • subscription renewal

   The renewal of your passport can take several weeks.

   She received a reminder about the renewal of her gym membership.

   The lease is up for renewal in June.

2. 2noununcountable

   The process of making something old or damaged new or active again.

   Grammar: Used in abstract or physical contexts: urban renewal, renewal of hope.

   Patterns

   • urban renewal
   • renewal of something
   • spiritual renewal

   The city's urban renewal project transformed the old docks into a park.

   After the war, the country experienced a period of economic renewal.

   The retreat offered a chance for spiritual renewal.

3. 3nounsingular

   A return of something that had stopped, such as interest, energy, or a feeling.

   Grammar: Often used with an or the: a renewal of interest. Not usually plural in this sense.

   Patterns

   • renewal of interest
   • renewal of hope
   • a renewal of something

   There has been a renewal of interest in traditional crafts.

   The good news brought a renewal of hope to the community.

   His speech called for a renewal of commitment to the cause.

Word forms

Common combinations

contract renewal

The contract renewal was delayed by negotiations.

urban renewal

Urban renewal has changed the face of the neighborhood.

renewal of vows

They celebrated their tenth anniversary with a renewal of vows.

subscription renewal

The subscription renewal is automatic unless you cancel.

renewal date

Check the renewal date on your insurance policy.

Synonyms and how they differ

extension

Extension means making something longer, especially in time; renewal often implies restoring validity after it has lapsed.

restoration

Restoration is used for bringing something back to its original condition, often physical; renewal is broader and can be abstract.

resumption

Resumption means starting again after a pause; renewal can also mean extending a contract or reviving a feeling.

Opposites

Word family

renew verb

To make something valid again or to start again.

renewable adjective

Able to be renewed, or (of energy) naturally replenished.

renewed adjective

Having started again or become active again.

Commonly confused: renewal or renovation?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “renewal”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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