significant
adjective
sig·nif·i·cant
sig-ˈni-fi-kənt 
1
: having meaning
… collected every stamp that included a map of any significant detail.—
Gayle Turim
Gayle Turim
especially
: full of import : suggestive
a significant glance
It is significant that she never mentioned him.
2
b
: likely caused by something other than mere chance
statistically significant correlation between vitamin deficiency and disease
Examples of significant in a Sentence
Historians of ancient gender have seen this as crucially significant. Women in antiquity were by definition so disempowered that the authority of a new female ruler could only be captured by representing her in the guise of a man. Or so the argument goes.
—Mary Beard, New York Review of Books, 12 Feb. 2009
While Congress will take a significant role in designing new regulation and is not likely to rubber-stamp the administration's proposals, momentum is strong for the creation of comprehensive financial reform.
—Marc I. Seltzer et al., Commonweal, 19 June 2009
A new study on women and the media from the University of Missouri-Columbia shows that overweight women and women with eating disorders are not the only ones negatively affected by unrealistic advertisements (as previous studies have indicated). After viewing images of models, women of all sizes reported a significant decrease in satisfaction with their weight, hair, physical shape and sexual attractiveness.
—Ms., Summer 2007
One of [Charles] Darwin's most extraordinary qualities was his ability to recognize when a scientific question could not be answered because of the limitations of the science of his day. He knew, for instance, that during his lifetime, no significant progress would be made on the question of how life began.
—Amy Stewart, Wilson Quarterly, Winter 2004
A significant number of customers complained about the service.
He won a significant amount of money.
There is a significant difference in prices between the two stores.
The study found a statistically significant decrease in symptoms in patients who had taken the drug.
a significant event in the history of our nation
Fish is a significant part of their diet.
It is significant that she never mentioned him.
He gave us a significant wink.
Mary Beard, New York Review of Books, 12 Feb. 2009
While Congress will take a significant role in designing new regulation and is not likely to rubber-stamp the administration's proposals, momentum is strong for the creation of comprehensive financial reform.
—Marc I. Seltzer et al., Commonweal, 19 June 2009
A new study on women and the media from the University of Missouri-Columbia shows that overweight women and women with eating disorders are not the only ones negatively affected by unrealistic advertisements (as previous studies have indicated). After viewing images of models, women of all sizes reported a significant decrease in satisfaction with their weight, hair, physical shape and sexual attractiveness.
—Ms., Summer 2007
One of [Charles] Darwin's most extraordinary qualities was his ability to recognize when a scientific question could not be answered because of the limitations of the science of his day. He knew, for instance, that during his lifetime, no significant progress would be made on the question of how life began.
—Amy Stewart, Wilson Quarterly, Winter 2004
A significant number of customers complained about the service.
He won a significant amount of money.
There is a significant difference in prices between the two stores.
The study found a statistically significant decrease in symptoms in patients who had taken the drug.
a significant event in the history of our nation
Fish is a significant part of their diet.
It is significant that she never mentioned him.
He gave us a significant wink.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nearly half of the 261 species studied showed losses important enough to be statistically significant, and more than half of those in decline have seen losses accelerate since 1987, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Science.
—Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Quarterly commentary The most notable data point from the quarter was the significant increase in net new annual recurring revenue, which totaled $331 million.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Outside the energy sector, prices for fertilizer and aluminum — both significant Gulf exports — could also surge due to shipping disruptions.
—semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Satellite images taken before and after airstrikes today show significant damage to some government and military facilities in Iran's capital.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for significant
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show current usage.
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Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Quarterly commentary The most notable data point from the quarter was the significant increase in net new annual recurring revenue, which totaled $331 million.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Outside the energy sector, prices for fertilizer and aluminum — both significant Gulf exports — could also surge due to shipping disruptions.
—semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Satellite images taken before and after airstrikes today show significant damage to some government and military facilities in Iran's capital.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for significant
Cite this Entry
“Significant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/significant. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
significant
adjective
sig·nif·i·cant
sig-ˈnif-i-kənt
1
: having much importance
2
: probably caused by something other than chance
a statistically significant relationship between vitamin deficiency and disease
3
: having meaning and especially a hidden or special meaning
gave us a significant wink
significantly
adverb
Etymology
from Latin significant-, significans, present participle of significare "to signify, indicate," from signum "mark, sign, image" — related to sign
Medical Definition
significant
adjective
sig·nif·i·cant
sig-ˈnif-i-kənt
: probably caused by something other than mere chance
a statistically significant correlation between diet and disease
significantly
adverb
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