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 of relevance

• 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

Mississippi State has risen from SEC basement dweller back to relevance in just a few games to start 2026. — Pj Green september 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

The regional relevance comes from a more basic business problem. — Karen Koehler, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026

Over time, Italy has built a distinctive entrepreneurial and manufacturing ecosystem, capable of translating ideas into products that combine quality and global relevance. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

Part of that means making the argument against fossil fuels, which Steyer argues are waging a losing battle for relevance as renewable energy sources become cheaper. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026

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