significant

adjective sig·nif·i·cant \ sig-ˈni-fi-kənt \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Examples: significant in a Sentence

Definition of significant

1 : having meaning; especially : suggestive

a significant glance

2 a : having or likely to have influence or effect : important

a significant piece of legislation

; also : of a noticeably or measurably large amount

a significant number of layoffs

producing significant profits

b : probably caused by something other than mere chance

statistically significant correlation between vitamin deficiency and disease

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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.

Recent Examples of significant from the Web

The straw poll is not scientifically significant, but is a good measure of the strength and organization of candidates' campaigns.

— patrick marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker calls Tony Evers pathetic for 'using the Lord's name in vain' to slam Walker's policies," 4 June 2018
Military women’s voices can be marginalized due to fear, and a woman’s voice is significant and important.

— lisa deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Finding her voice with other veterans," 3 June 2018
For the group that had both hormone and chemotherapy, the rate was 84.3%, a difference that was not statistically significant.

— sandee lamotte, CNN, "Many women with common breast cancer can safely skip chemo, study says," 3 June 2018
What will actually happen in this legislative session, according to a compromise bill that came out of the House Labor and Workforce Development committee Thursday, will probably be much less significant.

— scott kirsner, BostonGlobe.com, "The truth about noncompetes and Massachusetts politics," 2 June 2018
Those periods when James are not on the court are significant in these Finals.

— ben cohen, WSJ, "The Warriors Beat the Cavaliers, and Everything but the Score Was Bonkers," 1 June 2018
Valentin-Jackson noted that this year’s parade is particularly significant as Puerto Rico is still recovering from Hurricane Maria.

— ruth bruno, courant.com, "Puerto Rican Day Parade Returns To Downtown Hartford," 1 June 2018
And that is very significant — for Mack, for Louisville basketball and for Louisville's fan base.

— jeff greer, The Courier-Journal, "Why Josh Nickelberry is such a big get for Louisville basketball," 1 June 2018
As critical as Clifford’s hiring was — and, make no mistake, the hiring of any head coach is profoundly significant — the Magic still have a massive amount of work to do the rest of this offseason.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Even with coach in place, Orlando Magic still have a lengthy offseason to-do list," 1 June 2018

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