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

Koch’s financial philosophy blends personal relevance with practical design. —Jason Phillips, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Beyond its horological relevance, the 1518 in steel to be sold at Phillips this week has the kind of provenance that makes collectors go weak in the knees. —Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025

The firm also has a knack for knowing when to bring in new luxury retail tenants and remove those losing relevance. —David Moin, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2025

The accessibility of the verse despite being written in 1855 is a testament to its continued relevance. —Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 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