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

• applicability
• bearing
• connection
• materiality
• pertinence
• 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

The dispute over the possible relevance of the PRA to this case had led some legal experts to worry that there was little chance the case would go to trial this year. —Perry Stein, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024

The exhibition centers around a new three-channel video series where Musson endeavors to educate his skeptical puppet sidekick Ollie on the relevance of art. —Allison Kiehl, The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024

Drescher’s words spoke to the continued relevance of the sci-fi world dreamed up by the Wachowski sisters 25 years ago. —Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024

Staying attuned to market shifts and consumer preferences through continuous research and feedback mechanisms is essential for adapting strategies and maintaining relevance. —Martin Petkov, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

The Oscars, which have been suffering from declining ratings, also face questions about their relevance. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 10 Mar. 2024

But Oppenheimer is a prestige World War II biographical drama that made almost $1 billion at the box office, proving that there’s a market for adult movies in an era when the Oscars have desperately grasped for any chance at relevance with wider audiences. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024

That approach reflects unique security needs that have gained new relevance since the start of the war in Gaza. —Annie Karni, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024

Maybe TikTok won’t rapidly lose its relevance with young people after all. —Angela Watercutter, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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