significance

American  

[sig-nif-i-kuhns] / sɪgˈnɪf ɪ kəns /

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.

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significance British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See importance. See meaning.

Other Word Forms

• nonsignificance noun
• self-significance noun

Etymology

Origin of significance

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

Example Sentences

But he appeared to play down the significance of the stockpile, pointing to the damage caused in US-Israeli strikes last June.

From BBC

In an interview with AFP, Kutryk discusses the significance of this new chapter of American space exploration:

From Barron's

Will Annie and Link’s child have a significance in Season 3?

From Los Angeles Times

These days, a horror film must also be a blistering allegory for real life, with plenty of subtextual significance for the thinking viewer to glom onto.

From Salon

Which fairly raises a few questions about the utility of employing Hegel as a guide to historical significance.

From Salon

Related Words

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