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

Patterson and some council members downplayed the relevance of those findings, however, saying they were dated and conducted in different cities under different circumstances. — Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

While many of her New York contemporaries faded from cultural relevance, Kusama’s only grew in her later years. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

The use now of this poll is as a barometer for the national relevance of a program. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026

The exhibition is presented at Westwood Contemporary in collaboration with The Wende Museum, a Los Angeles institution focused on preserving and interpreting Cold War history and its continuing relevance. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 26 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