relevance

American  

[rel-uh-vuhns] / ˈrɛl ə vəns /

Often relevancy

noun

1. the condition of being relevant, or connected with the matter at hand.

   Some traditional institutions of the media lack relevance in this digital age.

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Etymology

Origin of relevance

First recorded in 1620–30, for an earlier sense; relev(ant) ( def. ) + -ance ( def. )

Explanation

To know the relevance of something is to know why it matters or how it is important. I don't understand the relevance of this discussion: it doesn't seem important to me. If you don't understand the relevance of the word "relevant" to the discussion of the meaning of the word relevance, we're gonna have some trouble. When something is "relevant," it matters. Its relevance is clear. Relevance is simply the noun form of the adjective "relevant," which means "important to the matter at hand." Artists and politicians are always worried about their relevance. If they are no longer relevant, they may not keep their job. Someone without relevance might be called "irrelevant."

Example Sentences

Madonna's output in the 2010s sometimes suffered from unconvincing attempts at pop relevance.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026

The theory may also have relevance for future self-replicating AI systems.

From Science Daily • Jun. 25, 2026

New megacaps like Micron Technology and Broadcom, along with a proposed ‘MANGOS’ group, challenge the Magnificent Seven’s relevance.

From Barron's • Jun. 19, 2026

In the mid-1990s, after a period of dwindling ratings and deteriorating cultural relevance, the WWF embarked on a radical brand pivot.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

The telescope addressed directly issues that were already under discussion; the microscope opened up new lines of enquiry whose relevance to current concerns was not obvious.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• applicability
• importance
• purpose