relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈre-lə-vən(t)s 

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

• applicability
• bearing
• connection
• materiality
• pertinence
• relevancy

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

The story is set in the aftermath of the real-life Chavez Ravine evictions, a dark moment in the history of Los Angeles with very real modern-day relevance. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Jan. 2025

Modern buyers often crave a mix of authenticity, relevance and scarcity, reshaping how industries collaborate to meet these needs. —Vincent Gregoire, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025

There’s a particular scene in the show — maybe its best scene, really — that has some relevance this week. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025

Then there’s the fashion side of things, as the cultural pendulum continues to swing, being too concerned with chasing trends to increase market share or maintain cultural relevance can lead brands down a path of inauthenticity and lost brand identity. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈrel-ə-vən(t)s 

: relation to the matter at hand : pertinence

Legal Definition

relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈre-lə-vəns 

: 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