renewables: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, technical, business, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “renewables” mean?
Energy sources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as wind, solar, and hydro power.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Energy sources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as wind, solar, and hydro power.
The sector, technologies, and investments related to renewable energy; increasingly used metonymically for the entire industry and its associated policy debates.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical in both varieties. Slight preference in British English for 'renewables' in policy contexts, while American English may use 'renewable energy' or 'clean energy' more frequently in public discourse.
Connotations
Neutral to positive in both, associated with sustainability, climate action, and modern technology. Can carry political connotations in partisan energy debates.
Frequency
High and increasing frequency in both varieties due to energy transition focus.
Grammar
How to Use “renewables” in a Sentence
The government is backing [renewables]Our grid relies heavily on [renewables]The growth of [renewables] has been rapid.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “renewables” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The company plans to renewables its entire fleet operations by 2030.
American English
- The state is working to renewables its power grid through significant solar investments.
adverb
British English
- The nation is moving renewably at an impressive pace.
American English
- They decided to power the data centre renewably, using geothermal sources.
adjective
British English
- The renewables sector saw record investment last quarter.
American English
- She works in renewables development for a major utility.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to investment portfolios, market growth, and corporate energy strategies.
Academic
Discussed in environmental science, engineering, and economics papers concerning energy systems and decarbonization.
Everyday
Used when talking about home solar panels, national energy policy, or climate change solutions.
Technical
Specifies technologies (e.g., variable renewables like wind/solar vs. dispatchable like geothermal/hydro).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “renewables”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “renewables”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “renewables”
- Using it as a singular countable noun (*'a renewables'), although 'a renewable source' is fine.
- Confusing 'renewables' with 'renewable resources' which is a broader category (includes timber, water).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily used as a plural noun (e.g., 'Renewables are growing') but can be treated as an uncountable collective (e.g., 'Renewables accounts for 40% of generation').
'Renewables' often refers to the specific technologies and sources themselves (wind farms, solar panels), while 'renewable energy' is the power produced from them. In practice, they are frequently used interchangeably.
It's uncommon but possible in technical contexts to mean 'a renewable energy source' (e.g., 'Biomass is a controversial renewable'). Usually, the plural form is preferred.
No, typically not. Although nuclear fuel is not 'renewed' in the same way, it is low-carbon. 'Renewables' specifically refers to sources like wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and tidal.
Energy sources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as wind, solar, and hydro power.
Renewables is usually formal, technical, business, journalistic in register.
Renewables: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈnjuːəbl̩z/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈnuːəbl̩z/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The renewables revolution”
- “Betting on renewables”
- “Powered by renewables”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'renew' + 'ables' = things that can be renewed. Unlike coal or oil, the sun and wind keep coming back.
Conceptual Metaphor
RENEWABLES ARE A SOURCE (of power, hope, investment). THE ENERGY TRANSITION IS A JOURNEY (with renewables as the destination/vehicle).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary conceptual category of the word 'renewables'?