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

In a bid to extend the relevance of combustion technology in a lower-carbon era, Horse Powertrain presented a hybrid powertrain concept engineered to run on 100% renewable gasoline. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026

Consumers judged items on criteria such as appeal, satisfaction, advocacy, purchase interest, uniqueness, relevance, and excitement. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 20 Feb. 2026

Read the story » More Top Stories David Remnick speaks with Conan O’Brien about prepping for the Oscars, the diminishing relevance of late-night TV, and the loss of his close friends Rob and Michele Reiner. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026

Springsteen once again finds himself in a position of particular social relevance. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 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