noun

significance

significance, importance, meaning

The event has great historical significance.

The event has great historical significance.

He didn't understand the significance of her words.

He didn't understand the significance of her words.

the significance of ((sth.)) the importance of (sth.) They discussed the significance of the new discovery.

to have/hold significance to be important This day holds great significance for our family.

importance, consequence, meaning, weight

From Latin 'significantia', from 'significare' (to be a sign of). It combines 'sign' + '-fic-' (to make) + '-ance' (noun suffix). It's the quality of 'making a sign' or being meaningful.

If something has significance, it's a 'sign' that it is important. The word itself gives you a clue.

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