import
Americanverb (used with object)
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to bring in (merchandise, commodities, workers, etc.) from a foreign country for use, sale, processing, reexport, or services.
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to bring or introduce from one use, connection, or relation into another.
foreign bodies imported into the blood; foodstuffs imported from the farm.
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to convey as meaning or implication; signify.
Her words imported a change of attitude.
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to involve as a necessary circumstance; imply.
Religion imports belief.
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Computers. to bring (documents, data, etc.) into one software program from another.
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Archaic. to be of consequence or importance to; concern.
verb (used without object)
noun
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something that is imported from abroad; an imported commodity or article.
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the act of importing or bringing in; importation, as of goods from abroad.
the import of foreign cars.
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consequence or importance.
matters of great import.
- Synonyms:
- sense, significance
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meaning; implication; purport.
He felt the import of her words.
verb
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to buy or bring in (goods or services) from a foreign country Compare export
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(tr) to bring in from an outside source
to import foreign words into the language
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rare to signify or be significant; mean; convey
to import doom
noun
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(often plural)
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goods ( visible imports ) or services ( invisible imports ) that are bought from foreign countries
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( as modifier )
an import licence
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significance or importance
a man of great import
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meaning or signification
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informal a sportsman or -woman who is not native to the country in which he or she plays
Other Word Forms
- importability noun
- importable adjective
- importer noun
- nonimport noun
- overimport verb (used with object)
- preimport verb (used with object)
- unimported adjective
- unimporting adjective
Etymology
Origin of import
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English importen, from Latin importāre; equivalent to im- 1 + port 5
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
China is its largest buyer, importing more than 80% of its shipped oil.
This was hardly unreasonable; 23 nations operate nuclear power programs by importing enriched uranium.
"As long as we still have fur farms in Europe and we still have the possibility of importing it, it’s a gesture that doesn't change the underlying idea," Bianchi added.
From Barron's
It’s supposed to use these profits to pay for imports and other economic needs.
Those countries use their airports for much of their food imports and to fly in their largely expatriate workforces.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
