import

1 of 2

verb

imported; importing; imports

transitive verb

1
: to bring from a foreign or external source: such as
a
: to bring (something, such as merchandise) into a place or country from another country
b
: to transfer (files or data) from one format to another usually within a new file
2
a
: to bear or convey as meaning or portent : signify
b
: imply
c
archaic : express, state
3
archaic : to be of importance to : concern

intransitive verb

: to be of consequence : matter
importable
im-ˈpȯr-tə-bəl How to pronounce import (audio)
ˈim-ˌpȯr-
adjective
importer noun

import

2 of 2

noun

im·​port ˈim-ˌpȯrt How to pronounce import (audio)
1
: something that is imported
2
3
: importance
especially : relative importance
it is hard to judge the import of this decision
4

Example Sentences

Verb a dealer who imports cars from Italy to the U.S. software that makes it simple to import digital photographs onto your hard drive Noun This car is an import from Italy. They sell luxury imports from around the world. laws affecting the import of foreign goods This is an issue of little import to voters. a matter of great import See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Japan, Taiwan and Singapore, which import nearly all their energy, have also said hydrogen will be key to becoming carbon neutral economies. Max Bearak Giacomo D’orlando, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2023 In April, the U.S. traded Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian smuggler convicted of conspiring to import cocaine, for Trevor Reed, a former U.S. Marine who had been imprisoned in Russia for nearly three years. CBS News, 9 Dec. 2022 As more bison are born, the site will likely import and export animals to and from other rewilding projects to control numbers and increase herd genetic diversity. Victoria Turk, Wired, 19 July 2022 Reed came home following a prisoner exchange with Russia for Konstantin Yaroshenko, convicted of conspiring to import cocaine. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 12 July 2022 Wednesday's plans could help international companies continue to import, sell and distribute formula into the U.S. past November. Wyatte Grantham-philips, USA TODAY, 7 July 2022 Our tester also loved the ability to sync the music version of the watch with her Schwinn IC4 bike, providing the ability to import data like speed and distance into the Connect app. SELF, 17 Nov. 2022 Ergo, cutting off China’s ability to import all-important semiconductors will slow its geopolitical ascendence and aggression. Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2022 The fire, which the government said was started by a lightning strike, crippled Cuba's ability to import and store fuel for its ailing power grid. José De Córdoba, WSJ, 28 Sep. 2022
Noun
Many religious leaders say that homosexuality is a Western import and have held protests and rallies urging legislators to introduce laws that would harshly penalize gay people. Abdi Latif Dahir, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Mar. 2023 Polis, however, downplays the import in Colorado’s change from red to blue. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2023 Coach Brian Dutcher chose a simply way to explain the import, as well. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2023 Its last Broadway revival, a West End import staged in 1997, took home four Tonys, including Best Actress for the towering Janet McTeer. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2023 But Navalny, a thrilling portrait of a Russian resistance leader, won PGA and BAFTA prizes, and voters tend to reward social import. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023 Connected fitness giants Peloton and iFit are facing an import ban on their fitness equipment. Victoria Song, The Verge, 9 Mar. 2023 In December, the ITC ruled that Apple infringed (PDF) on AliveCor's patent; however, no import ban is currently in effect. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 22 Feb. 2023 Here’s a sampling of the latest life sciences trends with the greatest import for business and patients. Susan Galer, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'import.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of import was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near import

Cite this Entry

“Import.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/import. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

import

1 of 2 verb
im·​port im-ˈpō(ə)rt How to pronounce import (audio) -ˈpȯ(ə)rt How to pronounce import (audio)
ˈim-ˌpō(ə)rt,
-ˌpȯ(ə)rt
1
2
: to be important : matter
3
: to bring (as goods) into a country from another country usually for selling
imports coffee
imported cars
importer noun

import

2 of 2 noun
im·​port ˈim-ˌpō(ə)rt How to pronounce import (audio)
-ˌpȯ(ə)rt
1
2
3
: something brought into a country

More from Merriam-Webster on import

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