Import
/ɪmˈpɔːrt/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo bring goods or services into a country from another.
/ɪmˈpɔːrt/
To bring goods or services into a country from abroad for sale.
The United States imports a significant amount of coffee from Brazil.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're buying toys from another country and bringing them back to sell in your store. That's importing!
👶 For kids: Bringing things from other countries into your country to sell.
More Examples
They decided to import the latest technology to improve their production.
How It's Used
"The country imports oil to meet its energy demands."
"Companies often import raw materials for manufacturing."
To introduce or bring in (a new concept, idea, or value).
/ɪmˈpɔːrt/
To introduce a new concept or idea.
The artist imported themes of social justice into her work.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're adding a brand new, exciting idea into a conversation to spice things up. You're importing that idea!
👶 For kids: Putting a new idea into a discussion or project.
More Examples
The new software imports features designed to improve workflow.
How It's Used
"The speaker imported new ideas into the debate."
"The study imported different methodologies to reach conclusions."
The act of bringing goods or services into a country from abroad.
/ˈɪm.pɔːrt/
The act of importing goods or services.
The government placed a tax on the import of luxury goods.
💡 Simply: The whole process of getting something from another country into yours, like bringing in ingredients for a special dish.
👶 For kids: When you bring things from another country to sell or use.
More Examples
The import of food products is strictly regulated for safety.
How It's Used
"The import of automobiles has increased significantly this year."
"They monitor import quotas to regulate trade balance."
Importance or significance; the value.
/ˈɪm.pɔːrt/
Importance or significance.
The import of the matter was not fully appreciated by all present.
💡 Simply: How big a deal something is or how much it matters, like the importance of studying for a test.
👶 For kids: How much something matters or how important it is.
More Examples
She understood the import of his words.
How It's Used
"The economic impact of this decision is of great import."
"Understanding the import of the situation is essential."
Idioms & expressions
of import
Important or significant.
"The findings are of considerable import to the medical community."
From Middle English importen, from Latin importāre (“to carry in, bring in, introduce”), from in (“in, into”) + portare (“to carry”).
The noun 'import' meaning 'significance' appeared in the 16th century.
Memory tip
Think of 'in-port' - bringing things IN to the port.