I. (ˈ)im|pō(ə)r]t, əmˈp-, -ȯ(ə)r], -ōə], -ȯ(ə)], usu ]d.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English importen, from Latin importare to bring or carry into, introduce, cause, from in- in- (II) + portare to carry — more at port
transitive verb
1.
a. : to bear or convey as purport, meaning, information, or portent : mean , signify
his words imported that some change in plans had to be made
the verse then would import that the riders have let their freedom … get out of hand — Warren Carrier
b. archaic : express , state
c. : to involve as a consequence or inevitable concomitant : imply
honor imports justice
2. : to bring from a foreign or external source : introduce from without
food imported into the city from surrounding farms
another murder case … distinguished by the local animosities sought to be imported into the trial — H.W.H.Knott
imported some college boys for the dance
especially : to bring (as wares or merchandise) into a place or country from another country
a business that imported toys from Japan
imported wheat during the grain shortage
Icelanders … imported the literature of the Continent, translating it into their own tongue — Charlton Laird
Canada also imports a great many leading scientists — Report: (Canadian) Royal Commission on National Development
— opposed to export
3.
[Middle French importer, from Old Italian importare, from Latin]
archaic : to be of importance or consequence to : have to do with : have a bearing on : concern
intransitive verb
[Middle French importer ]
: to be of moment or consequence : matter
it imports little that we are early or late
Synonyms: see mean
II. ˈimˌp-\ noun
( -s )
1. : something contained as signification or intention : purport , meaning
trying vainly to fathom the import of the speaker's words
a gesture whose import he knew immediately
2. : weight , consequence , significance
less concerned about the literary value of his books than about their social import
a man of great import
3. : something (as an article of merchandise) brought in from an outside source (as a foreign country)
the car was a British import — Frances G. Patton
chief imports were machinery and vehicles, raw wool and cotton — Americana Annual
4. : importation
a proclamation allowing the import of an additional 51 million pounds of peanuts — Time
Synonyms: see importance