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

Examples of import in a Sentence

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
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Between 2010 and 2019, the European Union imported the legs of up to about 2 billion frogs, according to a study in Nature Conservation. Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 During that same time period, France itself imported 30,015 tons of frog legs. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 Policymakers set bright lines with immediate operational implications—for example, suddenly forbidding companies from exporting or importing certain goods from certain countries. Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2024 Metal items of this era were often imported from modern-day Ukraine and Hungary—meaning that only the wealthy could afford them, according to McClatchy’s Aspen Pflughoeft. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 The announcement tested already fragile relations with Beijing, which subsequently launched its own anti-dumping investigation into brandy imported from the EU, a move seen as a retaliation against France, which supported the electric-vehicle probe. Jorge Valero, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 With those greenhouse gases, the indictment also alleges that Hart imported HCFC-22, which is another compound typically used in air conditioning that has been identified as an ozone-depleting substance and is now regulated under the Clean Air Act. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024 Some towns are building public dormitories after local farmers complained that the government was importing foreign workers without adequate housing plans. Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 However, most products aside from some meats, fish, and wool are imported, which drives up costs for everything else. David Nikel, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
The government has supported the Russian currency by requiring exporters to change foreign earnings from things like oil into rubles, holding down prices for remaining imports. David McHugh, Fortune Europe, 12 Mar. 2024 This could be tariffs on Chinese imports put by the Trump administration, the soaring price of shipping during the pandemic supply-chain crisis, higher wages to attract workers or bad harvests of specific ingredients like cocoa. Alina Selyukh, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 In October, the European Commission launched an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicle imports into the bloc. Laura He, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 For the past year, the colonel said, the center has had no live ammunition for training because Israeli authorities have rejected import requests. Loveday Morris, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 Coffee’s cool factor at home is a good indication that the imports will continue, especially after extreme weather and insufficient yields over the past years have weighed on global production. Dayanne Sousa, Fortune Asia, 2 Mar. 2024 This effort will also depend heavily on expanding fuel imports to restart bakeries and provide cooking fuel for households. Hardin Lang, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2024 In 2023, the country exported $685m of goods to the US, with 75% of these being exempted from American import duties under AGOA provisions. Harry G. Broadman, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Boosting production in Mexico has been floated as a potential tax loophole for Chinese manufacturers; because of Mexico’s North American trade status, EVs produced there would be exempt from any import tariffs. Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'import.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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

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