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
Iran, Baghdad’s arch enemy during Hussein’s rule, now enjoys significant influence in Iraq – another direct result of the US invasion.
—Ben Wedeman, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Private equity groups have struggled in recent years to raise new funds, with a significant backlog of unsold assets and a slowdown in cash returns to investors.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Many of these arrestees have long histories of addiction and significant health and mental health challenges.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
However, the Chargers’ outlook for 2025 has not changed to any significant degree.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for significant
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ben Wedeman, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Private equity groups have struggled in recent years to raise new funds, with a significant backlog of unsold assets and a slowdown in cash returns to investors.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Many of these arrestees have long histories of addiction and significant health and mental health challenges.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
However, the Chargers’ outlook for 2025 has not changed to any significant degree.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for significant
Cite this Entry
“Significant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/significant. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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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