significance

American  

[sig-nif-i-kuhns] / sɪgˈnɪf ɪ kəns /

noun

1. importance; consequence.

   the significance of the new treaty.

   Synonyms:

   weight, moment

   Antonyms:

   triviality

2. meaning; import.

   The familiar place had a new significance for her.

3. the quality of being significant or having a meaning.

   to give significance to dull chores.

---

significance British  

/ sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns /

noun

1. consequence or importance

2. something signified, expressed, or intended

3. the state or quality of being significant

4. statistics

   1. a measure of the confidence that can be placed in a result, esp a substantive causal hypothesis, as not being merely a matter of chance

   2. ( as modifier ) Compare confidence level See also hypothesis testing

      a significance level

---

Related Words

See importance. See meaning.

Other Word Forms

• nonsignificance noun
• self-significance noun

Etymology

Origin of significance

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English (from Middle French ), from Latin significantia “force, meaning,” equivalent to significant- ( significant ) + -ia -ia; ( -ance )

Example Sentences

Will Annie and Link’s child have a significance in Season 3?

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Which fairly raises a few questions about the utility of employing Hegel as a guide to historical significance.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

While the service is rooted in historical significance, Dame Sarah has had a hand in choosing some of the hymns.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

The significance of this climbdown is hard to overstate.

From Slate • Mar. 24, 2026

And so only Ann, whom C.P. had confided in, understood the significance of his last melancholy words.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• consequence
• gravity
• influence
• magnitude
• matter
• merit
• prestige
• relevance
• virtue
• weight