I. im-ˈpȯrt, ˈim-ˌ verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin importare to bring in, cause, signify, from Latin, to bring in, cause, from in- + portare to carry — more at fare
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to bear or convey as meaning or portent : signify
b. archaic : express , state
c. : imply
2. : to bring from a foreign or external source: as
a. : to bring (as merchandise) into a place or country from another country
b. : to transfer (as files or data) from one format to another usually within a new file
3. archaic : to be of importance to : concern
intransitive verb
: to be of consequence : matter
• im·port·able im-ˈpȯr-tə-bəl, ˈim-ˌ adjective
• im·port·er noun
II. ˈim-ˌpȯrt noun
Date: circa 1568
1. : importance ; especially : relative importance
it is hard to judge the import of this decision
2. : purport , signification
3. : something that is imported
4. : importation