import

[im-pawrt, -pohrt, im-pawrt, -pohrt]

verb (used with object)

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.

verb (used without object)

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

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

noun

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

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

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of import¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of import¹

C15: from Latin importāre to carry in, from _im- + portāre to carry

Example Sentences

Petroineos announced the refinery at the central Scotland facility would close and transition to become an import terminal after reporting massive losses.

Read more on BBC

Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Tokyo on Friday urged Taiwanese seafood lovers to buy all the Japanese scallops they can to counter Beijing’s threatened import ban.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For now, fresh meat and poultry are only being imported by commercial sellers.

Read more on BBC

Tariffs have pushed up the prices of goods, including imported toys, which may be “a problem” for many consumers, he said.

Read more on MarketWatch

Companies paid about 12% of the value of their imports as tariffs in October, consulting firm Oxford Economics estimates.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• value 
• worth