Renowned means famous and respected for excellence or achievement. When someone is renowned, they're widely known and admired for being exceptionally good at something. A renowned scientist has made important discoveries that other scientists respect. A renowned chef creates extraordinary food that draws people from miles away.

The word carries a sense of an earned reputation built over time. Someone becomes renowned through consistent excellence, not from a single lucky moment. Marie Curie became renowned for her groundbreaking research on radioactivity. Shakespeare became renowned for writing plays that moved audiences for centuries.

You might read about a renowned expert being called to solve a difficult problem, or a renowned musician performing at a special concert. The word suggests that the person's reputation has spread far beyond their immediate circle. A teacher might be excellent and loved by her students, but a renowned educator influences teaching methods across the country.