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

The technology was developed for nuclear plants in the United States and could have relevance for facilities using similar ice condenser systems in countries including Japan and Finland. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026

Set against a conflict that transformed the Horn of Africa, the film uncovers a story with universal relevance—where literature became a battlefield and a writer paid the ultimate price. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Summary Northrop Grumman is breaking out at a time when its fundamentals are improving and its strategic relevance is increasing. — Tony Zhang, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

And that investigation might have taken on some new relevance for Dodgers fans after financial filings revealed that a company tied to the team was among the investments caught up in a major reclassification. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 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