[im.por.tance] n (1508) 1 a: the quality or state of being important: consequence b: an important aspect or bearing: significance
2. obs: import, meaning 3 obs: importunity
4. obs: a weighty matter syn importance, consequence, moment, weight, significance mean a quality or aspect having great worth or significance. importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone "a region with no cities of importance". consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects "the style you choose is of little consequence". moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence "a decision of great moment". weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something "the argument carried no weight with the judge". significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized "the treaty's significance".