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

Bounce and unsubscribe rates: Monitor these metrics to ensure list quality and content relevance. —Allbusiness, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

Case in point: Trump’s remarks about transgender students and schools, delivered Friday at an event put on by Moms for Liberty, the far-right gang of book-banners that lately has been searching for relevance. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2024

Few luxury brands can depend solely on a legacy name to maintain relevance and growth. —Emily Mercer, WWD, 14 Aug. 2024

As a reminder, our five key actions are to own bargains, to communicate unmistakable value, to increase store relevance, to win customers for life with our omnichannel efforts, and to drive productivity. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2024

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