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

As a Hindu, 25 December does not hold any religious significance, but he and his Christian wife Josephine enjoy celebrating each other's traditions, with midnight Mass on Christmas Eve a definite on the festive calendar.

From BBC

She is well aware of the significance of the role saying: "I waited 17 years for a part like Martha to come along, so hopefully it won't be another 17 years."

From BBC

This season, an event of global significance preoccupies the nuns and nurses of Nonnatus House: Their branch office in Hong Kong has fallen into the street.

From The Wall Street Journal

But I can’t think of a better term to describe the bizarre hypotheses that emanate from almost every news event of national or international significance.

From The Wall Street Journal

Each week a writer focuses on a single work of art—we use the term in its broadest sense—and explains why, in his or her view, it is of surpassing cultural significance.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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