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

New York audiences were unimpressed with the Rupert Goold production, with Variety’s review calling it a “misguided West End import.”

From Los Angeles Times

But much depends on how much profit margin they have, especially if high tariffs are implemented on all imported goods, not just ones from China.

From Salon

If he goes ahead and introduces tariffs - a tax imposed by one country on the goods and services imported from another - it could lead to a rise in prices, including in the UK, economists say.

From BBC

Lower, imported tulips burst with color at the Original Los Angeles Flower Market in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

Posing as a business wanting to import knives into Western Europe, the BBC asked the supplier for its latest product list, costs and a shipping estimate for 30,000 knives.

From BBC

Related Words

• value
• worth