relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈre-lə-vən(t)s 

1

a

: relation to the matter at hand

b

: practical and especially social applicability : pertinence

giving relevance to college courses

2

: the ability (as of an information retrieval system) to retrieve material that satisfies the needs of the user

Synonyms

• relevancy

Examples of relevance in a Sentence

I appreciate that you did the dishes tonight, but that has no relevance to my enforcement of the punishment you got earlier this week.

Recent Examples on the Web

That relevance has stuck in Kansas City three weeks later. —Kansas City Star, 26 Sep. 2025

With the political violence in his new movie One Battle After Another, Sean Penn is aware of the film’s growing cultural relevance. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025

Positioned as a benchmark event by local authorities, Shanghai Fashion Week this season aims to present innovative fashion ideas centered on technology, art, culture and sustainability, and help emerging brands establish a leading position in the industry with global relevance. —Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025

Even former President Barack Obama, whom by most accounts Axelrod and Jones owe their relevance to, also noted this reality during his presidency, even signing into law the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. —Essence, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for relevance

• irrelevance

Kids Definition

relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈrel-ə-vən(t)s 

: relation to the matter at hand : pertinence

Legal Definition

relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈre-lə-vəns 

: the quality or state of being relevant : relation to the matter at hand

ruled on the relevance of the testimony

relevance in discovery has been broadly interpreted