significance

noun

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

Definition of significance

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

b : the quality of conveying or implying

2a : the quality of being important : moment

b : the quality of being statistically significant

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about significance

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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. a region with no cities of importance consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects. the style you choose is of little consequence moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence. a decision of great moment weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something. the argument carried no weight with the judge significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized. the treaty's significance

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 on the Web

The human narrative doesn’t begin until around 1350, when the Polynesian ancestors of the Maori arrived, making New Zealand the last landmass of any significance to be settled. — Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, "We Should All Just Move to New Zealand," 17 Jan. 2019 What’s the significance of that story in relation to the entire album? — Nerisha Penrose, Billboard, "How Ne-Yo's Wife & His Journey of Self-Reflection Helped Him Create 'Good Man' Album," 20 June 2018 But there is plenty of significance in the revelation. — Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, "What Roger Stone’s Latest Russia Lie Reveals About the Scandal," 18 June 2018 Rather than allowing him to react to the humor of the world that existed around him, he was reacted against in a fish-out-of-water fashion that made the character feel trite and gasping for significance in comparison to his comic book counterpart. — Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, "The Boundless Potential of Thor," 6 May 2018 The subject has special significance in New London. — Susan Dunne, courant.com, "'Spirited' Prohibition Exhibit At Lyman Allyn Looks At Social Causes, Effects," 11 Apr. 2018 But, just like Santa Claus and Christmas, the mysterious hare has no obvious connections to the Christian significance of this post-Lent holy day. — Jenae Sitzes, Country Living, "The Easter Bunny Origin Story: Where Did The Easter Bunny Actually Come From?," 8 Mar. 2019 Everything captured in the photo held a special significance. — Deneen L. Brown, The Seattle Times, "An iconic Olympics moment: Looking back at the Black Power salute that rocked the world in 1968," 16 Oct. 2018 So too for the German taxpayers who foot the bill, for whom membership in the EU—and the euro—assumes an almost spiritual significance. — Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, "Italy Issues a Euro Dare to Germany," 11 Oct. 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.