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.

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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

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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

Lai’s comments followed economic discussions in Washington last week that he described as “of great significance to Taiwan-U.S. relations,” a partnership that could be one of “mutually beneficial prosperity.”

From The Wall Street Journal

From a geopolitical lens too, the announcement holds significance, say analysts.

From BBC

While his words were meant to convey spiritual meaning, they have taken on new significance centuries later.

From Science Daily

Inflation signals have taken on more significance as yen weakness poses a risk to the Bank of Japan’s efforts to generate healthy, demand-led price growth.

From The Wall Street Journal

This discovery of Orage’s significance in Katherine Mansfield’s life and work matters to scholars, but Ms. Kimber misjudges how much it might engross readers of a biography.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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