Main Entry:

¹im·port

Pronunciation:

\im-ˈpȯrt, ˈim-ˌ\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Medieval Latin importare to bring in, cause, signify, from Latin, to bring in, cause, from in- + portare to carry — more at fare

Date:

15th century

transitive verb1 a: to bear or convey as meaning or portent : signify barchaic : express, state c: imply2: to bring from a foreign or external source: as a: to bring (as merchandise) into a place or country from another country b: to transfer (as files or data) from one format to another usually within a new file 3archaic : to be of importance to : concernintransitive verb: to be of consequence : matter

— im·port·able \im-ˈpȯr-tə-bəl, ˈim-ˌ\ adjective

— im·port·er noun