import

1 of 2

verb

im·​port im-ˈpȯrt  ˈim-ˌpȯrt 

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

The words imported that some changes had to be made.

b

: imply

Her reminder imported that I would forget.

c

archaic : express, state

3

archaic : to be of importance to : concern

intransitive verb

: to be of consequence : matter

importable

im-ˈpȯr-tə-bəl 

ˈim-ˌpȯr-

adjective

importer noun

importer

2 of 2

noun

im·​por·​ter

pronunciation at 1import +ə(r)

: one that imports

especially : one whose business is the importation and sale of goods from a foreign country

Synonyms of import

Verb

• matter
• weigh
• mean

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Canada temporarily stopped importing cattle, horses or other livestock from Texas on Friday. —Jeffrey Collins, Fortune, 9 June 2026

This has significantly weakened the Indian rupee against the dollar at a time when global oil prices are rising, creating a treacherous situation for India, which imports more 85% of its crude requirements. —Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 9 June 2026

The saga concluded last week when three companies involved in designing, importing and marketing the smoke bomb agreed to settle a federal lawsuit filed by the government in 2023. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 9 June 2026

Vanguard Energy signed a contract last month with a Cuban importing agency to lease facilities owned by the Cuban government company CUPET for fuel storage. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026

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

1618, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for import

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort
• deport
• disport
• distort
• escort
• exhort

Kids Definition

import

1 of 2 verb

im·​port im-ˈpō(ə)rt  -ˈpȯ(ə)rt 

ˈim-ˌpō(ə)rt, 

-ˌpȯ(ə)rt

1

: mean entry 2 sense 2

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 

-ˌpȯ(ə)rt

1

: meaning entry 1 sense 1

2

: importance

3

: something brought into a country