noun
significance
The importance of something.
The discovery has great significance for the study of early farming.
Etymology
The word's meaning-bearing sense developed into consequence or importance. Something significant matters because of what it implies or the effects it carries.
More examples
- She explained the historical significance of the site.
- The result had little practical significance.
- We underestimated the significance of the warning.
Forms
significance
Similar words
- importance
- The direct everyday word for how much something matters.
- weight
- Weight figuratively emphasizes influence in a judgment.