import

American  

[im-pawrt, -pohrt, im-pawrt, -pohrt] / ɪmˈpɔrt, -ˈpoʊrt, ˈɪm pɔrt, -poʊrt /

verb (used with object)

imports, present (3rd person singular) imported, past participle, past importing present participle

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.

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verb (used without object)

imports, present (3rd person singular) imported, past participle, past importing present participle

1. to be of consequence or importance; to matter.

   We are friends, and it does not import that we have only just met.

noun

imports plural

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 British  

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

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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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• importability
  noun
• importer
  noun
• nonimport
  noun
• preimport
  noun
• overimport
  verb (used with object)
• preimport
  verb (used with object)
• importable
  adjective
• unimported
  adjective
• unimporting
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• imports
  plural

Participles

• importing
  present
• imported
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• import
  simple
• imports
  simple
• have imported
  perfect
• has imported
  perfect
• am importing
  progressive
• are importing
  progressive
• is importing
  progressive
• have been importing
  perfect progressive
• has been importing
  perfect progressive

Past

• imported
  simple
• had imported
  perfect
• was importing
  progressive
• were importing
  progressive
• had been importing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will import
  simple
• will have imported
  perfect
• will be importing
  progressive
• will have been importing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of import

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English importen, from Latin importāre; equivalent to im- ¹ + port ⁵

Explanation

Imports are the products shipped into our country from other places. We import Japanese autos and export our pop music to Tokyo. Import also means to signify something. Is it of import to our economic security to have so many Japanese imports on our roads? The origins of the word import are literally "to bring into port." The ratio of imports to exports is a big indicator of the health of a nation's economy. The word import can also refer to attitudes or behaviors that come as part of the culture of a place. "New York media is dominated by British journalists who have imported the snarky style of gossip reporting famous in London."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

import imports imported importing

China is mostly mentioned in agribusiness over concerns about farmland ownership or import commitments on soybeans and beef.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026

Economists at ING expect both exports and imports to remain robust, forecasting export growth of 28% and import growth of nearly 34%, resulting in a trade surplus of $112.6 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

Any sharp jump in import costs could compel the Bank of Japan to more aggressively raise rates, potentially undermining the country’s fragile economic recovery.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

"We import the certified mother plant from the breeder abroad," says Nelson Sequeira, the founder and director of Tara Farms Fresh, a licensed strawberry propagator.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

Ten years after arriving in America, Jack took out a loan, bought the company he was working for, and turned it into a thriving import company.

From "Surviving Hitler: A Boy in the Nazi Death Camps" by Andrea Warren

Japan also faces a decades-long slide in its working-age population, low productivity and a heavy reliance on energy imports that are priced in US dollars.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

Its electricity tracker includes only the energy that is produced in state, not imports from Arizona, for example.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

The US plan could turn Croatia into a major transit point for fuel imports, including oil, beyond the Balkans into other parts of Europe.

From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026

But authentic “Made in the USA” goods face stiff price competition from cheaper imports with ambiguous origins.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

All his houses have been furnished with imports from Japan and Europe.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden

The company is counting on a 25% tariff on imported appliances to force its foreign competitors to raise prices, too.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

But Dora says imported goods could also be affected, particularly wine from countries such as France, which has also faced severe high temperatures.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

Officials have linked this year's widespread outbreak to lettuce imported from Taylor Farms in Mexico, a key supplier for many food establishments in the US.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

If the Strait of Hormuz remains impaired and China continues restricting phosphate exports, nitrogen producers with secure, low-cost inputs should remain better positioned than phosphate producers dependent on imported sulfur.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026

Cal led his brother across the street to Berges and Garrisiere, who imported fine wines and liquors.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Ferguson said Boeing's model of building with regional partners was intended to give countries greater control over the capability rather than simply importing a US system.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

Because taxes are paid by importing companies, those businesses often pass the extra costs on to shoppers through higher prices.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

Eugene Kim designed the interior of the spa, importing nearly all the materials and most of the furniture from Korea.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Without Russian diesel, importing countries have turned in large part to U.S. diesel, which has helped push U.S. domestic prices higher, Mills said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 18, 2026

Kendra knew that Grandma had taught history at some college, and that Grandpa had traveled a lot, running a small importing business.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

Related Words

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