import

American  

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

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.

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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 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

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

Etymology

Origin of import

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

Example Sentences

Energy imports could spike from their average around 3.5% of gross domestic product to 6% if war keeps raging in the Persian Gulf, estimates Marcel Thieliant, head of Asia Pacific at Capital Economics.

From Barron's

That would ease the cost of energy imports for both major economies, such as China, and developing ones, such as Vietnam.

From Barron's

The U.S. exports more to Spain than it imports, Sánchez points out.

From The Wall Street Journal

GlobalFoundries is seeking compensation for lost profits and injunctive relief to bar Tower from importing or selling products that infringe on their patents.

From The Wall Street Journal

And a rising dollar tends to hurt gold prices, as it lowers import costs — and therefore helps tame inflation.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• value
• worth