relevance

Often rel·e·van·cy

[rel-uh-vuhns]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of relevance¹

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

Example Sentences

Today, print magazines are fighting for survival in an increasingly crowded, fast-paced landscape – a monthly publication loses a lot of relevance in a by-the-minute digital world.

From BBC

Taking nothing too serious while being surrounded by complete seriousness, and with “Gutfeld!” pulling in some of the strongest ratings on TV, he’s proving that irreverence can be its own kind of relevance.

From Los Angeles Times

Recent extreme weather events, including record flooding and wildfire seasons, underscore the continuing relevance of those concerns.

From Salon

The updates come as both men continue to have ongoing public and legal relevance.

From Salon

But he also describes having “a self-flagellating instinct” to worry it would lose its relevance.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• applicability 
• importance 
• purpose