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

But with ICE activity making so many communities feel unsafe, the book seems to have tapped into a deep vein of relevance.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 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

I thought my findings, like many academic papers, would have limited lasting relevance in the fast-evolving world of business.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Companies typically release an API alongside a new model, or within a few weeks of releasing it, to maximize its relevance among developers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

He knows that this sort of life, one which is such a proud accomplishment for his own parents, is of no relevance, no interest, to her, that she loves him in spite of it.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

• applicability
• importance
• purpose