import [verb im-pawrt , -pohrt ; noun im -pawrt, -pohrt]
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
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. Show More
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. Show More
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. Show More
Origin of import 1400–50; late Middle English importen <
Latin importāre. See
im-1 ,
port5 Related forms im·port·a·ble , adjective im·port·a·bil·i·ty , noun im·port·er , noun non·im·port , noun o·ver·im·port , verb (used with object) pre·im·port , verb (used with object) pre·im·port , noun un·im·port·ed , adjective un·im·port·ing , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for importable Historical Examples of importable And both with one consent reioyced in reuenge, whereof the passion was importable .
It is only to pay for importable goods that gold ever leaves the country in which the owner resides.
So he went back to the others among the shrubs and they all crowded round their leader full of importable news.
Or the supply of importable food may fail by the peopling up of the countries which grow it.
British Dictionary definitions for importable to buy or bring in (goods or services) from a foreign country Compare export (tr) to bring in from an outside source to import foreign words into the language rare to signify or be significant; mean; convey to import doom Show More
(often plural) goods (visible imports ) or services (invisible imports ) that are bought from foreign countries (as modifier ) an import licence significance or importance a 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 Show More
Derived Forms importable , adjective importability , noun importer , 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
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Word Origin and History for importable v. early 15c., "convey information, express, make known, signify," from Latin importare "bring in, convey," from assimilated form of in- "into, in" (see in- (2)) + portare "to carry" (see port (n.1)). Sense of "bring in goods from abroad" first recorded c.1500. Related: Imported ; importing .
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n. "consequence, importance," 1580s; sense of "that which is imported" is from 1680s; both from import (v.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
