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 Word Forms

• nonsignificance noun
• self-significance 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

"We are comparably sized to Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's, and yet our visibility and the services that we do receive pale in significance," she said.

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She said the Met leadership had never grasped "the significance, the scale and impact" of this culture.

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Their talks centered on the value of short at-bats, the importance of “dominating the inside part of the plate,” and the significance of executing competitive misses on throws around the edge of the zone.

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"Because of the significance of the abuse, the total will be well above £1m," Ms Connor said of the expected total compensation for the 10 cases.

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Carroll's significance was later highlighted in court when it emerged detectives investigating the shooting had compiled a list of 99 potential suspects.

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Related Words

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