import

[ verb im-pawrt, -pohrt; noun im-pawrt, -pohrt ]
See synonyms for import on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to bring in (merchandise, commodities, workers, etc.) from a foreign country for use, sale, processing, reexport, or services.

  2. to bring or introduce from one use, connection, or relation into another: foreign bodies imported into the blood; foodstuffs imported from the farm.

  1. to convey as meaning or implication; signify: Her words imported a change of attitude.

  2. to involve as a necessary circumstance; imply: Religion imports belief.

  3. Computers. to bring (documents, data, etc.) into one software program from another.

  4. Archaic. to be of consequence or importance to; concern.

verb (used without object)
  1. to be of consequence or importance; to matter: We are friends, and it does not import that we have only just met.

noun
  1. something that is imported from abroad; an imported commodity or article.

  2. the act of importing or bringing in; importation, as of goods from abroad: the import of foreign cars.

  1. consequence or importance: matters of great import.

  2. meaning; implication; purport: He felt the import of her words.

Origin of import

1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English importen, from Latin importāre; equivalent to im-1 + port5

Other words for import

Other words from import

  • im·port·a·ble, adjective
  • im·port·a·bil·i·ty, noun
  • im·port·er, noun
  • non·im·port, noun
  • o·ver·im·port, verb (used with object)
  • pre·im·port, verb (used with object)
  • pre·im·port, noun
  • un·im·port·ed, adjective
  • un·im·port·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for import

import

verb(ɪmˈpɔːt, ˈɪmpɔːt)
  1. to buy or bring in (goods or services) from a foreign country: Compare export

  2. (tr) to bring in from an outside source: to import foreign words into the language

  1. rare to signify or be significant; mean; convey: to import doom

noun(ˈɪmpɔːt)
  1. (often plural)

    • goods (visible imports) or services (invisible imports) that are bought from foreign countries

    • (as modifier): an import licence

  2. significance or importance: a man of great import

  1. meaning or signification

  2. Canadian informal a sportsman or -woman who is not native to the country in which he or she plays

Origin of import

1
C15: from Latin importāre to carry in, from im- + portāre to carry

Derived forms of import

  • importable, adjective
  • importability, noun
  • importer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012