significance

[ sig-nif-i-kuhns ]

noun

1. importance; consequence:

   the significance of the new treaty.

   Synonyms: weight, moment

   Antonyms: triviality

2. meaning; import:

   The familiar place had a new significance for her.

3. the quality of being significant or having a meaning:

   to give significance to dull chores.

significance

/ sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns /

noun

1. consequence or importance
2. something signified, expressed, or intended
3. the state or quality of being significant
4. statistics
   1. a measure of the confidence that can be placed in a result, esp a substantive causal hypothesis, as not being merely a matter of chance
   2. ( as modifier ) Compare confidence level See also hypothesis testing

      a significance level

Other Words From

• nonsig·nifi·cance noun
• self-sig·nifi·cance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of significance¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English (from Middle French ), from Latin significantia “force, meaning,” equivalent to significant- ( significant ) + -ia -ia; ( -ance )

Synonym Study

See importance. See meaning.

Example Sentences

The “warrior board” proposal takes on broader significance in light of growing fears that Trump will move swiftly to reshape institutions such as the armed forces.

From Los Angeles Times

Through my eyes, this gave the flower a unique significance.

From Los Angeles Times

There is some significance to the results, though.

From BBC

So when Kane diverted from his trademark non-controversial messaging to deliver what amounted to a very public slap down on England team-mates for missing the forthcoming Uefa Nations League games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland, it was a moment of wide significance.

From BBC

Adding that its results can be used to create a new unification scheme of quantum mechanics and gravity, Loeb said the deeper significance of the double helix structure isthat it “is simply a mathematical result that has nothing to do with biology. The fact that it appears here and in the human DNA is a remarkable coincidence.”

From Salon

Related Words

• consequence
• gravity
• influence
• magnitude
• matter
• merit
• prestige
• relevance
• virtue
• weight