The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
adj. That cannot be renewed: a nonrenewable license.
adj. Of or relating to an energy source, such as oil or natural gas, or a natural resource, such as a metallic ore, that is not replaceable after it has been used.
adj. Not able to be renewed; incapable of renewal.
adj. With respect to a resource, unsustainable; not able to be regrown or renewed; not having an ongoing or continuous source of supply; finite.
n. A resource that is not renewable.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
adj. That can not be renewed. Opposite of renewable.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
adj. that can not be renewed
Word Usage
"Counting hydropower as "nonrenewable" and limiting environmentally clean nuclear power when $4 billion has been spent for the Yucca Flats facility is counter to developing the needs of our country."