import — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Something brought in from an exterior source, especially for sale or trade.

   Usage

   • Countable

   Examples

   Trump’s July 8 announcement of a 50% tariff on copper imports beginning August 1 sent prices surging 13% in one day, up to a record high of $5.69 per pound.

2. The practice of importing.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

3. A foreigner playing in a sports league.

   Usage

   • Philippines
   • Countable

Verb

1. To bring (something) in from a foreign country, especially for sale or trade.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Antonyms

   export

   Examples

   Nauru imports foods from Australia because phosphate mining destroyed land for farming.

2. To load a file into a software application from another version or system.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Antonyms

   export

   Examples

   How can I import files from older versions of this application?

Verb

1. To be important; to be significant; to be of consequence.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   See how much it importeth to learn to take Time by the Fore-Top.

2. To be of importance to (someone or something).

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   This Letter is mistooke: it importeth none here: It is writ to laquenetta.

   If I endure it, what imports it you?

3. To be incumbent on (someone to do something).

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   It imports us to get all the aid and assistance we can.

4. To be important or crucial to (that something happen).

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   It much imports your house That all should be made clear.

5. To mean, signify.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   Every petition […] doth […] always import a multitude of speakers together.

6. To express, to imply.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Transitive

Noun

1. The meaning of a term, statement, etc.

   Usage

   • Dated

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   The greater part of the English words derived from the Anglo-Saxon exist also in German, either with the same import— as 𝔉𝔢𝔲𝔢𝔯, fire; 𝔅𝔯𝔲𝔡𝔢𝔯, brother,— or with a kindred import, as 𝔏𝔲ſ𝔱 (pleasure), lust; ℌ𝔲𝔫𝔡 (dog), hound.

2. Significance, importance

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Examples

   It was a matter of great import.

   More examples (1)

   There is, too, a little mentioned aspect of the tunnel which contributes to its failings. You never see the sea while approaching it from either the British or French side. That takes away from the import of the journey - a historic link between Britain and the continent. Instead, it is just a tunnel.

Noun

1. commodities (goods or services) bought from a foreign country

   Synonyms

   importation

   Antonyms

   export

   Broader terms

   commoditytrade goodgood

2. an imported person brought from a foreign country

   Synonyms

   importee

   Broader terms

   foreigneraliennoncitizenoutlander

   Examples

   the lead role was played by an import from Sweden

   they are descendants of indentured importees

3. the message that is intended or expressed or signified

   Synonyms

   meaningsignificancesignification

   Broader terms

   messagecontentsubject mattersubstance

   Examples

   what is the meaning of this sentence?

   the significance of a red traffic light

   More examples (2)

   the signification of Chinese characters

   the import of his announcement was ambiguous

4. a meaning that is not expressly stated but can be inferred

   Synonyms

   significanceimplication

   Broader terms

   meaningsubstance

   Examples

   the significance of his remark became clear only later

   the expectation was spread both by word and by implication

5. having important effects or influence

   Synonyms

   consequencemoment

   Broader terms

   significance

   Examples

   decisions of great consequence are made by the president himself

   virtue is of more moment than security

   More examples (1)

   that result is of no consequence

Verb

1. bring in from abroad

   Antonyms

   export

   Broader terms

   trademerchandise

2. transfer (electronic data) into a database or document

   Antonyms

   export

   Broader terms

   transfer

3. indicate or signify

   Synonyms

   spell

   Broader terms

   meanintend

   Examples

   I'm afraid this spells trouble!