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

Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability. —Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026

Is there an example of real-world relevance that stands out above the rest? —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026

Cultural relevance is no longer enough. —Angelique Kuiper, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026

The backlash stems from Chalamet’s February appearance at a CNN and Variety town hall, where the 30-year-old actor suggested traditional art forms were losing cultural relevance. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 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