significant
adjective
sig·nif·i·cant
sig-ˈni-fi-kənt 
1
: having meaning
2
b
: probably caused by something other than mere chance
statistically significant correlation between vitamin deficiency and disease
Synonyms
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.
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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.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
The show ran for 13 episodes on NBC in 1973-75 and made a significant impression.
—Carmel Dagan, Variety, 26 Nov. 2023
Jesse Core, founder of Core Brewing and Distilling said his operation is gearing up to post significant growth in 2023 and will be making a run at the state's top production spot.
—John Magsam, arkansasonline.com, 26 Nov. 2023
Noise-canceling is capped at good rather than great, but their class-leading sound makes up for it, especially at this significant price drop.
—Matt Jancer, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2023
Earnings growth in 2023 has been tepid among companies within the S&P 500, but Wall Street is forecasting significant improvement next year.
—Charley Grant, WSJ, 25 Nov. 2023
Writers made significant gains on streaming-show residuals.
—Erica Werner, Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2023
The Chargers are 2-3 at home and last week lost to a three-win Green Bay team in a game that had significant implications on the direction of their season.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2023
For those with significant assets to divide, and those unlikely to easily come to agreement using a document or mediation service, collaborative divorce is another option.
—Caitlin Kelly, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2023
Al pastor, arguably the Mexican capital’s most significant contribution to the national cuisine, traces its roots to Middle Eastern shawarma, brought to Mexico by Iraqi families who fled Baghdad after the collapse of British rule in the Levant in the early-20th century.
—Jorge Valencia Mariano Fernandez, New York Times, 14 Nov. 2023
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Carmel Dagan, Variety, 26 Nov. 2023
Jesse Core, founder of Core Brewing and Distilling said his operation is gearing up to post significant growth in 2023 and will be making a run at the state's top production spot.
—John Magsam, arkansasonline.com, 26 Nov. 2023
Noise-canceling is capped at good rather than great, but their class-leading sound makes up for it, especially at this significant price drop.
—Matt Jancer, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2023
Earnings growth in 2023 has been tepid among companies within the S&P 500, but Wall Street is forecasting significant improvement next year.
—Charley Grant, WSJ, 25 Nov. 2023
Writers made significant gains on streaming-show residuals.
—Erica Werner, Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2023
The Chargers are 2-3 at home and last week lost to a three-win Green Bay team in a game that had significant implications on the direction of their season.
—Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2023
For those with significant assets to divide, and those unlikely to easily come to agreement using a document or mediation service, collaborative divorce is another option.
—Caitlin Kelly, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2023
Al pastor, arguably the Mexican capital’s most significant contribution to the national cuisine, traces its roots to Middle Eastern shawarma, brought to Mexico by Iraqi families who fled Baghdad after the collapse of British rule in the Levant in the early-20th century.
—Jorge Valencia Mariano Fernandez, New York Times, 14 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'significant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin significant-, significans, present participle of significare to signify
First Known Use
1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing significant
Dictionary Entries Near significant
Cite this Entry
“Significant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/significant. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on significant
Nglish: Translation of significant for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of significant for Arabic Speakers
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