import

[ verb im-pawrt, -pohrt; noun im-pawrt, -pohrt ]

/ verb ɪmˈpɔrt, -ˈpoʊrt; noun ˈɪm pɔrt, -poʊrt /

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See synonyms for: import / imported / importing / importer on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to bring in (merchandise, commodities, workers, etc.) from a foreign country for use, sale, processing, reexport, or services.

to bring or introduce from one use, connection, or relation into another: foreign bodies imported into the blood; foodstuffs imported from the farm.

to convey as meaning or implication; signify: Her words imported a change of attitude.

to involve as a necessary circumstance; imply: Religion imports belief.

Computers. to bring (documents, data, etc.) into one software program from another.

Archaic. to be of consequence or importance to; concern.

verb (used without object)

to be of consequence or importance; to matter: We are friends, and it does not import that we have only just met.

noun

something that is imported from abroad; an imported commodity or article.

the act of importing or bringing in; importation, as of goods from abroad: the import of foreign cars.

consequence or importance: matters of great import.

meaning; implication; purport: He felt the import of her words.

OTHER WORDS FOR import

10 significance, sense.

See synonyms for import on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of import

1400–50; late Middle English importen<Latin importāre.See im-¹, port⁵

OTHER WORDS FROM import

im·port·a·ble, adjectiveim·port·a·bil·i·ty, nounim·port·er, nounnon·im·port, noun

o·ver·im·port, verb (used with object)pre·im·port, verb (used with object)pre·im·port, nounun·im·port·ed, adjectiveun·im·port·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use import in a sentence

Last year, lobster imports from Australia were worth around $530 million.
China is ramping up its other big trade war|eamonbarrett|November 4, 2020|Fortune
They don’t even look at the name on the temporary import permit.
Crime, Corona, Copper and Trouble in Zambia|Eugene Robinson|October 30, 2020|Ozy
Exports of aircraft, cars, and oil fell dramatically, while imports stayed closer to normal largely because of a massive increase in gold imports and pharmaceutical supplies.
The US trade deficit is hurtling towards an all-time high|Dan Kopf|October 15, 2020|Quartz
In trade, that usually refers to the trade deficit — that is, America’s exports to a country minus its imports.
Robert Lighthizer Blew Up 60 Years of Trade Policy. Nobody Knows What Happens Next.|by Lydia DePillis|October 13, 2020|ProPublica

The big danger that stance creates is that higher import prices will lead to higher inflation, yet rates don’t rise to stabilize the dollar.
The biggest economic threat facing the next administration: A weak dollar|Shawn Tully|October 11, 2020|Fortune
Or the supply of importable food may fail by the peopling up of the countries which grow it.
Outspoken Essays|William Ralph Inge
So he went back to the others among the shrubs and they all crowded round their leader full of importable news.
The Wouldbegoods|E. Nesbit
It is only to pay for importable goods that gold ever leaves the country in which the owner resides.
Money|John P. Jones
And both with one consent reioyced in reuenge, whereof the passion was importable.
The Palace of Pleasure|William Painter

British Dictionary definitions for import

import

verb (ɪmˈpɔːt, ˈɪmpɔːt)

to buy or bring in (goods or services) from a foreign countryCompare export

(tr) to bring in from an outside sourceto import foreign words into the language

rare to signify or be significant; mean; conveyto import doom

noun (ˈɪmpɔːt)

(often plural)

goods (visible imports) or services (invisible imports) that are bought from foreign countries
(as modifier)an import licence

significance or importancea man of great import

meaning or signification

Canadian informal a sportsman or -woman who is not native to the country in which he or she plays

Derived forms of import

importable, adjectiveimportability, nounimporter, noun

Word Origin for import

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

import

OTHER WORDS FOR import

Origin of import

OTHER WORDS FROM import

Words related to import

How to use import in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for import

Derived forms of import

Word Origin for import