import

[ verb im-pawrt, -pohrt; noun im-pawrt, -pohrt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to bring in (merchandise, commodities, workers, etc.) from a foreign country for use, sale, processing, reexport, or services.
2. to bring or introduce from one use, connection, or relation into another:

   foreign bodies imported into the blood; foodstuffs imported from the farm.

3. to convey as meaning or implication; signify:

   Her words imported a change of attitude.

4. to involve as a necessary circumstance; imply:

   Religion imports belief.

5. Computers. to bring (documents, data, etc.) into one software program from another.
6. Archaic. to be of consequence or importance to; concern.

verb (used without object)

1. to be of consequence or importance; to matter:

   We are friends, and it does not import that we have only just met.

noun

1. something that is imported from abroad; an imported commodity or article.
2. the act of importing or bringing in; importation, as of goods from abroad:

   the import of foreign cars.

3. consequence or importance:

   matters of great import.

   Synonyms: sense, significance

4. meaning; implication; purport:

   He felt the import of her words.

import

verb

1. to buy or bring in (goods or services) from a foreign country Compare export
2. tr to bring in from an outside source

   to import foreign words into the language

3. rare.
   to signify or be significant; mean; convey

   to import doom

noun

1. often plural
   1. goods ( visible imports ) or services ( invisible imports ) that are bought from foreign countries
   2. ( as modifier )

      an import licence

2. significance or importance

   a man of great import

3. meaning or signification
4. informal.
   a sportsman or -woman who is not native to the country in which he or she plays

Derived Forms

• imˌportaˈbility, noun
• imˈportable, adjective
• imˈporter, noun

Other Words From

• im·porta·ble adjective
• im·porta·bili·ty noun
• im·porter noun
• non·import noun
• over·im·port verb (used with object)
• preim·port verb (used with object)
• pre·import noun
• unim·ported adjective
• unim·porting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of import¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English importen, from Latin importāre; equivalent to im- ¹ + port ⁵

Word History and Origins

Origin of import¹

C15: from Latin importāre to carry in, from im- + portāre to carry

Example Sentences

The moves are imported from Musk’s management of his companies, The Times’s Kate Conger notes.

From New York Times

‘Satanic Verses’ Ban Ends: In 1988, India issued an order forbidding the import of Salman Rushdie’s novel “The Satanic Verses.”

From New York Times

Beyond the tariffs, Biden might also consider terminating the global “safeguard” restrictions on imported solar panels, which are both costly and unnecessary.

From Los Angeles Times

Some called for continuing to increase investments in local water supplies in Southern California to reduce reliance on imported water from the Delta and the Colorado River.

From Los Angeles Times

For now, consumers are unlikely to see a surge in the price of avocados from the fire because most avocados bought in the U.S. are imported from Mexico.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• value
• worth