relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈre-lə-vən(t)s 

1

a

: relation to the matter at hand

b

: practical and especially social applicability : pertinence

giving relevance to college courses

2

: the ability (as of an information retrieval system) to retrieve material that satisfies the needs of the user

Synonyms

• applicability
• bearing
• connection
• materiality
• pertinence
• relevancy

Examples of relevance in a Sentence

I appreciate that you did the dishes tonight, but that has no relevance to my enforcement of the punishment you got earlier this week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Moreover, anglers have taken what originated as a smallmouth and walleye technique and expanded its relevance with nationwide application to include largemouth and spotted bass. —David A. Brown, Field & Stream, 27 June 2024

Ivey, meanwhile, has been stuck on the Detroit Pistons, which won 17 games last season and doesn’t have a clear path back to relevance. —Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 27 June 2024

On Tuesday, their return to relevance was short-lived. —Eric Levenson, CNN, 22 June 2024

Denim The conversation about denim is heating up, reaffirming the style’s cultural relevance. —Alex Badia, WWD, 14 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈrel-ə-vən(t)s 

: relation to the matter at hand : pertinence

Legal Definition

relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈre-lə-vəns 

: the quality or state of being relevant : relation to the matter at hand

ruled on the relevance of the testimony

relevance in discovery has been broadly interpreted