relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈre-lə-vən(t)s 

1

a

: relation to the matter at hand

b

: practical and especially social applicability : pertinence

giving relevance to college courses

2

: the ability (as of an information retrieval system) to retrieve material that satisfies the needs of the user

Synonyms of relevance

• relevancy

Examples of relevance in a Sentence

I appreciate that you did the dishes tonight, but that has no relevance to my enforcement of the punishment you got earlier this week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Those outcomes aren’t created through standardization; they’re created through relevance. — Candy Fernandez, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Tina Belcher Tina Belcher, the oldest child in the Bob’s Burgers clan, reminds us of our own misguided teen years with a relevance that is sometimes horrifying. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026

And while the brand still works with ambassadors of all ages, it’s shifted focused in the last two years to build relevance with the all-important and discerning Gen Z. — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2026

Most other original big names — Dustin Johnson, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood — have aged out of relevance. — Brody Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for relevance

• irrelevance

Kids Definition

relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈrel-ə-vən(t)s 

: relation to the matter at hand : pertinence

Legal Definition

relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈre-lə-vəns 

: the quality or state of being relevant : relation to the matter at hand

ruled on the relevance of the testimony

relevance in discovery has been broadly interpreted