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import

n. · v.
US //ˈɪmˌpɔɹt// im·port
  1. 1 goods from abroad (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a product or service brought into one country from another to be sold.

    a commodity, article, or service brought in from abroad for sale or trade.

    Example

    The shop sells a wide variety of luxury imports from Italy and France.

    Example

    The government recently introduced stricter tariffs on agricultural imports to protect domestic farmers from international competition.
  2. 2 importance (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the meaning or importance of something.

    the significance or importance of something; the implicit meaning conveyed by a statement or event.

    Example

    It was a decision of great import for the future of the company.

    Example

    The full import of the judge's ruling only became clear after legal experts had time to review the written transcript.
    • insignificance
    • triviality
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  1. 3 to bring in goods (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to buy or bring in products from another country.

    to bring goods or services into a country from abroad for sale. Transitive — requires a direct object.

    Example

    The company imports most of its raw materials from South America.

    Example

    By importing components rather than manufacturing them locally, the firm managed to reduce its overhead costs significantly during the first quarter.
  2. 4 computing (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    to bring information or a file into a computer program from a different place.

    to transfer data or files into a software application from an external source or a different format.

    Example

    You can easily import your old contacts into the new email app.

    Example

    The software allows users to import high-resolution images directly from their cameras without losing any metadata in the process.
Etymology 1

From Middle English importen, from Old French emporter, importer, from Latin importō (“bring in from abroad, import”, verb), from in (“in, at, on; into”) + portō (“to carry, bear; convey”).

Etymology 2

From Italian importare, and French importer, from Latin importō.

Word family

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