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

It’s still unclear how widespread these tariffs will be, but Trump has raised the prospect of at least a 10% across-the-board tariff on imported goods, as well as a 60% import tax on goods from China.

From BBC

For all that, the full import of McMahon’s decision is anything but clear.

From Los Angeles Times

Some companies import European cheese to Belarus or other CIS countries, where the label is swapped so that it can be sold legally in Russian shops.

From BBC

And in the US, strict federal rules mean it’s illegal to produce or import unpasteurised cheeses aged for less than 60 days, leading to a black market for raw-milk products such as French classics Brie de Meaux and Mont d’Or.

From BBC

“It has not given the right to the petitioner to import the book.”

From BBC

Related Words

• value
• worth