/ sɪgˈnɪfɪkəns; NAmE / noun [ U , C ]
1.
the importance of sth, especially when this has an effect on what happens in the future :
a decision of major political significance
The new drug has great significance for the treatment of the disease.
They discussed the statistical significance of the results.
2.
the meaning of sth :
She couldn't grasp the full significance of what he had said.
Do these symbols have any particular significance?
—compare insignificance
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (denoting unstated meaning): from Old French , or from Latin significantia , from significare indicate, portend.