significance

noun sig·nif·i·cance \ sig-ˈni-fi-kən(t)s \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: significance in a Sentence

Definition of significance

1 a : something that is conveyed as a meaning often obscurely or indirectly

b : the quality of conveying or implying

2 a : the quality of being important : moment

b : the quality of being statistically significant

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Examples of significance in a Sentence

The discovery has great significance to researchers.
His age is of little significance.
This building should be preserved because of its historical significance.
Does the ceremony have any religious significance?
Her work has a significance that will last beyond her lifetime.
I failed to understand the significance of her remarks.
Does the date March 16 have some special significance to you?
People in ancient times assigned a particular significance to the number seven.

Recent Examples of significance from the Web

So the challenge Leonardo faced was finding a way to convey its drama and monumental significance in pictorial form.

— robert e. gordon, WSJ, "A Multi-Layered Drama," 13 July 2018
England and Belgium have both produced last-gasp victories at the World Cup — Belgium beating Japan 3-2, England beating Colombia on penalties — but their two games together lack significance.

— james ellingworth, chicagotribune.com, "England, Belgium face off again, this time with 3rd place at stake," 13 July 2018
On the other, Kukoo is fetishized by the show, with Sacred Games declining to bless her with either long life or longstanding significance.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, "Sacred Games Reinvents the Police Procedural," 12 July 2018
Hubert de Givenchy, the house’s founder, was a close friend of Audrey’s, giving Meghan’s choice extra significance.

— maura hohman, PEOPLE.com, "Meghan Markle Just Channeled Audrey Hepburn in Her Best Retro Dress Yet," 10 July 2018
The case has gained additional significance with the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany party in recent years.

— frank jordans, The Seattle Times, "As German neo-Nazi trial ends, families demand more answers," 10 July 2018
The case has gained additional significance with the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany party in recent years.

— Washington Post, "As German neo-Nazi trial ends, families demand more answers," 10 July 2018
Despite their colorful protest, Gómez said most of the passersby in Moscow didn’t even notice the rainbow jerseys’ LGBTQ significance.

— NBC News, "Gay rights activists protest at World Cup with 'hidden' rainbow flag," 10 July 2018
Returning normalcy to Bama carries particular significance for the president.

— New York Times, "A Homecoming for Nigerians Who Fled Militants. All That’s Missing Is the ‘Home.’," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'significance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of significance

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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significance Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of significance

importance, consequence, moment, weight, significance mean a quality or aspect having great worth or significance. importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.