relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈre-lə-vən(t)s How to pronounce relevance (audio)
Synonyms of relevancenext
1
a
: relation to the matter at hand
b
: practical and especially social applicability : pertinence
giving relevance to college courses
2
: the ability (as of an information retrieval system) to retrieve material that satisfies the needs of the user

Synonyms

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Examples of relevance in a Sentence

I appreciate that you did the dishes tonight, but that has no relevance to my enforcement of the punishment you got earlier this week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Preparing for the Inevitable Consumption and Redistribution of Content by AI-Powered Search Engines The era of generative engine optimization (GEO) and answer engine optimization (AEO) is here, so a retailer’s accuracy, relevance, completeness, and consistency are more important than ever. — Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 Last season, UConn was 9-4, beating North Carolina in the Fenway Bowl, the program enjoying success and relevance that had been missing for more than a decade. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2025 Earn valuable welcome bonuses with a Chase card Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability. — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025 The Liberal Party was on the political margins, with no clear path back to relevance. — Daniel Block, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relevance

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of relevance was in 1787

Rhymes for relevance

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Browse Nearby Words

reletter
relevance
relevancy
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Cite this Entry

“Relevance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relevance. Accessed 12 May. 2025.

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Kids Definition

relevance

noun
rel·​e·​vance ˈrel-ə-vən(t)s How to pronounce relevance (audio)
: relation to the matter at hand : pertinence

Legal Definition

relevance

noun
rel·​e·​vance ˈre-lə-vəns How to pronounce relevance (audio)
: the quality or state of being relevant : relation to the matter at hand
ruled on the relevance of the testimony
relevance in discovery has been broadly interpreted

More from Merriam-Webster on relevance

Nglish: Translation of relevance for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about relevance

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