Origin: Latin suffix -able
Renewable has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
A thing that is renewable; especially, a renewable source of energy.
"Solar and wind power are considered excellent renewable sources of energy that will never run out."
In plain English: A renewable is something that can be used over and over again without running out, like solar power or wind energy.
"The wind farm provides enough renewable energy to power the whole city for years."
capable of being renewed; replaceable
"renewable energy such as solar energy is theoretically inexhaustible"
Able to be renewed; capable of renewal.
"The forest fire caused damage that was renewable, as new trees quickly sprouted from the ash to replace those lost."
In plain English: Renewable means something that can be used over and over again without running out, like sunlight or wind power.
"Solar power is considered renewable because we can get more energy from the sun every day without running out."
Usage: Use "renewable" primarily as an adjective describing resources like solar or wind power that can replenish naturally over time. Avoid confusing it with non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels, which are finite and cannot be replaced once used.
The word renewable comes from combining the verb renew with the suffix -able to mean something that can be renewed. It entered English as a straightforward formation describing resources or actions capable of being restored or started again.