importance

noun

im·por·tance | \ im-ˈpȯr-tᵊn(t)s

, 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

In honor of Autism Awareness Month in April and World Autism Day on April 2, Autism Speaks is urging everyone to learn about the importance of early diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). — Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, "10 Things Parents of Kids With Autism Spectrum Disorder Wish You Knew," 1 Apr. 2019 The importance of self care is part of the timelessness of beauty. — Mia Adorante, Town & Country, "How One Mother’s Beauty Philosophy Became a Powerful Family Bond," 21 Mar. 2019 The model, who's been at the forefront of the body positive movement, spoke about the importance of sisterhood and being kind to yourself—and how the brand is making changes to raise women up. — Glamour, "Follow Glamour's 2018 Women of the Year Summit Live," 11 Nov. 2018 One of the most common themes in talks on successful mobile games at the annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) is the importance of maintaining a relationship with representatives of the Apple TV. — Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, "What developers say Apple needs to do to make the Apple TV a gaming console," 13 Oct. 2018 Comfort is a 10 out of 10 in terms of importance for me. — Leah Melby Clinton, Marie Claire, "The Getting-Dressed Trick That Helps Your Career," 16 Apr. 2019 The books are, in my opinion, of the utmost importance, including Epicurus’s Letter on Happiness, Boethius’s The Consolation of Philosophy and Yourcenar’s Memoirs of Hadrian. — Brunello Cucinelli, WSJ, "Brunello Cucinelli Shares a Few of His Favorite Things," 5 Mar. 2019 These houses were built side by side on deep, narrow plots, leaving the owners with a relatively small exterior surface on which to express their sense of self-importance. — Steve King, Condé Nast Traveler, "Why We Keep Going Back to Amsterdam," 24 Dec. 2018 The officer was not injured, however officer safety is of the utmost importance to Axon. — Fox News, "NYPD pulls 3,000 body cams off street after one exploded," 22 Oct. 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.