relevance

American  

[rel-uh-vuhns] / ˈrɛl ə vəns /

Often relevancy

noun

1. the condition of being relevant, or connected with the matter at hand.

   Some traditional institutions of the media lack relevance in this digital age.

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Etymology

Origin of relevance

First recorded in 1620–30, for an earlier sense; relev(ant) ( def. ) + -ance ( def. )

Explanation

To know the relevance of something is to know why it matters or how it is important. I don't understand the relevance of this discussion: it doesn't seem important to me. If you don't understand the relevance of the word "relevant" to the discussion of the meaning of the word relevance, we're gonna have some trouble. When something is "relevant," it matters. Its relevance is clear. Relevance is simply the noun form of the adjective "relevant," which means "important to the matter at hand." Artists and politicians are always worried about their relevance. If they are no longer relevant, they may not keep their job. Someone without relevance might be called "irrelevant."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

relevance

As they celebrate America’s 250th birthday, they are also contemplating the relevance of their orientation to the nation’s conception of itself.

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026

When I asked Hamawy about the connection, he acknowledged it, but dismissed its relevance.

From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2026

"Human conversations are imbued with background assumptions that give meaning and relevance to the words being used," Denning explains.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026

By merging with Vault, Regis had aimed to become one of Australia’s biggest gold stocks, adding scale and relevance in global markets.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026

You have to observe them while they are discussing something of relevance to their relationship.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

• applicability
• importance
• purpose