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

What’s interesting is that some brands were featured organically in outfits worn on screen, while others were built prominently into the plot—and both forms of product placement proved lucrative when approached with careful planning and relevance. —Alison Bringé, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Adding a further wrinkle in what has been by any measure a proceeding draining its relevance by the day as tensions in LA over the troops’ downtown presence lessen even as ICE raid intensify, Judge Breyer left the next move a hanging chad of sorts. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 June 2025

Inter Miami is a relatively new MLS franchise, with co-owner David Beckham – who may have felt a modicum of sympathy for his former club, the LA Galaxy, not getting an invite to FIFA’s party – the original reason for this franchise gaining relevance in 2018. —Glen Levy, CNN Money, 20 June 2025

Beyond Hogg’s work for March For Our Lives — which is ideologically emblematic in itself, notwithstanding the personal connection to Hogg’s own life — many similar issue-specific organizations have also gained traction based on the origins of their uniquely Floridian DNA and relevance. —Maximo Bratter, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 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