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

See Examples For:

relevance

Understanding how sleep patterns are linked to disease risk is therefore of great relevance to Chinese citizens.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 24, 2026

"The last 18 months were quite bumpy," Meier admits, as IQE struggled for relevance with investors.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

Times USC beat reporter Ryan Kartje spent the past four years conducting more than 100 interviews, gaining new insight into the football program’s dramatic rise, fall and difficult push to return to national relevance.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

Cisco is the “ultimate dot-com poster child trying to claim relevance in today’s bubble,” Goldberg said.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026

The contending elements—the fact of his death, his relevance to the case—confused Briony and she struggled with her memory.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• applicability
• importance
• purpose