What does "import" mean?
Something brought in from an exterior source, especially for sale or trade.
Import
/ˈɪm.pɔːt/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Something brought in from an exterior source, especially for sale or trade.
- Grammar: import is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: meaning, significance, importance, importation.
- Useful contrasts: external feature, airdrop, data export.
- Usage evidence: Proponents of increased import duties are at odds with each other.
How to use "import"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "import" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "import" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "import" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "import" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "import" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "meaning" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "import", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Something brought in from an exterior source, especially for sale or trade. countable
"Trump’s July 8 announcement of a 50% tariff on copper imports beginning August 1 sent prices surging 13% in one day, up to a record high of $5.69 per pound."
- 2 commodities (goods or services) bought from a foreign country wordnet
- 3 The practice of importing. uncountable
- 4 having important effects or influence wordnet
- 5 Clipping of importance. abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, uncountable
"It was a matter of great import."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 a meaning that is not expressly stated but can be inferred wordnet
- 7 A foreigner playing in a sports league. Philippines, countable
- 8 the message that is intended or expressed or signified wordnet
- 9 an imported person brought from a foreign country wordnet
Verb
- 1 To bring (something) in from a foreign country, especially for sale or trade. transitive
"Nauru imports foods from Australia because phosphate mining destroyed land for farming."
- 2 To be important; to be significant; to be of consequence. intransitive
"See how much it importeth to learn to take Time by the Fore-Top."
- 3 indicate or signify wordnet
- 4 To load a file into a software application from another version or system. transitive
"How can I import files from older versions of this application?"
- 5 To be of importance to (someone or something). transitive
"This Letter is mistooke: it importeth none here: It is writ to laquenetta."
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 transfer (electronic data) into a database or document wordnet
- 7 To be incumbent on (someone to do something). transitive
"It imports us to get all the aid and assistance we can."
- 8 bring in from abroad wordnet
- 9 To be important or crucial to (that something happen). transitive
"It much imports your house That all should be made clear."
- 10 To mean, signify. transitive
"Every petition […] doth […] always import a multitude of speakers together."
- 11 To express, to imply. archaic, transitive
Example
"Proponents of increased import duties are at odds with each other."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "import"?
Common synonyms include: meaning, significance, importance, importation, accent, acceptation.
How do you use "import" in a sentence?
Proponents of increased import duties are at odds with each other.
How do you pronounce "import"?
Pronounced /ˈɪm.pɔːt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English importen, from Old French emporter, importer, from Latin importō (“bring in from abroad, import”, verb), from in (“in, at, on; into”) + portō (“I carry, bear; convey”).
Etymology 2
From Italian importare, and French importer, from Latin importō.