Etymology 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”).
1
Something brought in from an exterior source, especially for sale or trade.
Trump’s July 8 announcement of a 50% tariff on copper imports beginning August 1 sent prices surging 13% in one day, up to a record high of $5.69 per pound.2025 July 17, John Towfighi, “Copper prices have surged to record highs — and they could jump higher. Here’s why”, in CNN Business:
2
The practice of importing.
3
Philippines A foreigner playing in a sports league.
Etymology 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”).
1
To bring (something) in from a foreign country, especially for sale or trade.
Nauru imports foods from Australia because phosphate mining destroyed land for farming.
2
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences To load a file into a software application from another version or system.
How can I import files from older versions of this application?
Etymology From Italian importare, and French importer, from Latin importō.
1
To be important; to be significant; to be of consequence.
See how much it importeth to learn to take Time by the Fore-Top.1661, Thomas Salusbury, (Please provide the book title or journal name):
2
To be of importance to (someone or something).
This Letter is mistooke: it importeth none here: It is writ to laquenetta.1593, Shakespeare, Love's Labour's Lost:
If I endure it, what imports it you?1681, John Dryden, The Spanish Fryar: Or, the Double Discovery. […], London: […] Richard Tonson and Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page number):
3
To be incumbent on (someone to do something).
It imports us to get all the aid and assistance we can.1762, David Hume, The History of England:
4
To be important or crucial to (that something happen).
It much imports your house That all should be made clear.1819, Percy Bysshe Shelley, The Cenci:
5
To mean, signify.
Every petition […] doth […] always import a multitude of speakers together.[1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page):
The greater part of the English words derived from the Anglo-Saxon exist also in German, either with the same import— as 𝔉𝔢𝔲𝔢𝔯, fire; 𝔅𝔯𝔲𝔡𝔢𝔯, brother,— or with a kindred import, as 𝔏𝔲ſ𝔱 (pleasure), lust; ℌ𝔲𝔫𝔡 (dog), hound.1851, G. M. Heilner, The Grammar of the German Language:
2
Significance, importance
It was a matter of great import.
There is, too, a little mentioned aspect of the tunnel which contributes to its failings. You never see the sea while approaching it from either the British or French side. That takes away from the import of the journey - a historic link between Britain and the continent. Instead, it is just a tunnel.2023 December 27, Christian Wolmar, “Hope springs eternal for greater use of the Channel Tunnel”, in RAIL, number 999, page 26: