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

Asked about the significance of a victory over USC, Foster said it wouldn’t be about validating him.

From Los Angeles Times

For Mason, it took time to fully grasp the significance of what his team had accomplished that day.

From Los Angeles Times

By then, immigrant advocates said, it had lost its significance.

From Los Angeles Times

Now that shy Samoan boy who watched Marcus and Tua captivate the Samoan community is poised to step into a place of similar cultural significance.

From Los Angeles Times

Haddock said the discovery highlights the importance of deep-sea exploration and the significance of using new technology to catalog previously unknown creatures.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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