import

1 of 2

verb

im·​port im-ˈpȯrt  ˈim-ˌpȯrt 

imported; importing; imports

transitive verb

1

: to bring from a foreign or external source: such as

a

: to bring (something, such as merchandise) into a place or country from another country

b

: to transfer (files or data) from one format to another usually within a new file

2

a

: to bear or convey as meaning or portent : signify

b

: imply

c

archaic : express, state

3

archaic : to be of importance to : concern

intransitive verb

: to be of consequence : matter

importable

im-ˈpȯr-tə-bəl 

ˈim-ˌpȯr-

adjective

importer noun

import

2 of 2

noun

im·​port ˈim-ˌpȯrt 

1

: something that is imported

2

: importation

3

: importance

especially : relative importance

it is hard to judge the import of this decision

4

: purport, signification

Synonyms

Verb

• count
• matter
• mean
• signify
• weigh

Noun

• account
• consequence
• importance
• magnitude
• moment
• momentousness
• significance
• weight
• weightiness

Examples of import in a Sentence

Verb

a dealer who imports cars from Italy to the U.S.

software that makes it simple to import digital photographs onto your hard drive

Noun

This car is an import from Italy.

They sell luxury imports from around the world.

laws affecting the import of foreign goods

This is an issue of little import to voters.

a matter of great import

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Available in English or Spanish, the system guides users with prompts and checklists and can even import W-2 wage information directly from your IRS account. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2025

That’s because even if a car is assembled in the United States, every vehicle has parts imported from Mexico and Canada that would be subject to the tariffs, raising production costs. —Chris Isidore, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025

Noun

Related article Trump’s tariffs could raise car prices at dealerships — very quickly Tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, which provide parts to GM’s US plants, could badly disrupt the automaker’s supply chain and raise the cost of assembling cars and trucks. —Chris Isidore, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025

Electronic products imports from Mexico rose from $86 billion in 2019 to $103 billion in 2023, or about 18% of total electronics imports, according to the International Trade Commission. —Kif Leswing, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Medieval Latin importare to bring in, cause, signify, from Latin, to bring in, cause, from in- + portare to carry — more at fare

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2a

Noun

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

import

1 of 2 verb

im·​port im-ˈpō(ə)rt  -ˈpȯ(ə)rt 

ˈim-ˌpō(ə)rt,

-ˌpȯ(ə)rt

1

: mean entry 2 sense 2

2

: to be important : matter

3

: to bring (as goods) into a country from another country usually for selling

imports coffee

imported cars

importer noun

import

2 of 2 noun

im·​port ˈim-ˌpō(ə)rt 

-ˌpȯ(ə)rt

1

: meaning entry 1 sense 1

2

: importance

3

: something brought into a country