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 'cultural relevance' discussion has repeatedly been rendered moot, with The Way of Water and re-releases of the original ruling the box office. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 19 Dec. 2025

Optical frames, in particular, offer continuous opportunities for technical evolution, material innovation and tailored fit solutions—areas that meaningfully enhance the brand’s differentiation and relevance. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Dec. 2025

Irrelevant traffic is wasted effort; rare relevance won’t scale. —Eugene Levin, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025

The strength of feeling about Love Island shows the durability of the reality brand and its ongoing relevance to audiences. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025

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