importance

noun

im·por·tance | \ im-ˈpȯr-tᵊn(t)s

How to pronounce importance (audio)

, especially Southern US and New England -tən(t)s, -dən(t)s\

Definition of importance

1a : the quality or state of being important : consequence

b : an important aspect or bearing : significance

2 obsolete : import, meaning

3 obsolete : importunity

4 obsolete : a weighty matter

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about importance

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Choose the Right Synonym for importance

importance, consequence, moment, weight, significance mean a quality or aspect having great worth or significance. importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone. a region with no cities of importance consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects. the style you choose is of little consequence moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence. a decision of great moment weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something. the argument carried no weight with the judge significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized. the treaty's significance

Examples of importance in a Sentence

The teacher lectured the students on the importance of mutual respect. He exaggerated the importance of his role in the rescue mission. The negotiations have taken on added importance in the wake of the bomb attack. a matter of little importance

Recent Examples on the Web

Vulnerability also taught me the importance of community. — Thomas Page Mcbee, Teen Vogue, "Kendrick Sampson on Masculinity, Race, and Why Men Should Be More Vulnerable," 26 Mar. 2019 Bush’s prepolitical career in the oil business taught him the importance of startups, minimal regulation and low capital-gains taxes. — C. Boyden Gray, WSJ, "Bush’s Proud Domestic Legacy," 4 Dec. 2018 Initially, for that reason, the ability of camera traps to monitor human as well as wildlife activity in areas of conservation importance may look like a double win for conservation. — Rogelio Luque-lora, Bill Adams, Ars Technica, "Camera traps designed for animals are now invading human privacy," 24 Nov. 2018 What the media tells you about who these people are is of absolute importance. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Full Q&A: ‘Dear America’ author Jose Antonio Vargas on Recode Decode," 24 Nov. 2018 My mother taught me the importance not just of being seen but of seeing myself. — Christine Michel Carter, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Challenges of Raising a Black Girl to Feel Beautiful," 18 Oct. 2018 But my mom has taught me the importance of always removing makeup before hitting the hay. — Talia Green, SELF, "11 Beauty Lessons I Learned From My Makeup Artist Mom," 13 Sep. 2018 And indeed, polling data seems to reveal conflicted feelings among the American public about the importance of climate change. — Gene Balk / Fyi Guy, The Seattle Times, "Where might voters support a Green New Deal? Seattle ranks high, new survey data show," 26 Mar. 2019 Given its importance for the evolution of societies, radicalism seems worth exploring. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Political radicals don’t evaluate their own errors—about anything," 21 Dec. 2018

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

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Dictionary Entries near importance

Statistics for importance

Last Updated

15 Apr 2019

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Time Traveler for importance

The first known use of importance was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for importance

importance

noun

English Language Learners Definition of importance

: the quality or state of being important : value or significance

See the full definition for importance in the English Language Learners Dictionary

importance

noun

im·por·tance | \ im-ˈpȯr-tᵊns

\

Kids Definition of importance

: the quality or state of being important The discovery is of great importance.

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