relevance

noun

rel·​e·​vance ˈre-lə-vən(t)s How to pronounce relevance (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability. Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 31 May 2025 That guidance similarly discourages blanket exclusions and encourages individualized assessments that consider the nature of the offense, its recency, and its relevance to the job. Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 The paternalistic overconfidence of Armstrong’s tech bros delivers the bulk of both the dark humor and the sobering cultural relevance in Mountainhead. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025 Since then, Rogers has often found himself on the front lines of the faculty representatives’ enduring struggle for influence and relevance. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for relevance

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of relevance was in 1787

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Relevance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relevance. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

relevance

noun
rel·​e·​vance ˈrel-ə-vən(t)s How to pronounce relevance (audio)
: relation to the matter at hand : pertinence

Legal Definition

relevance

noun
rel·​e·​vance ˈre-lə-vəns How to pronounce relevance (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on relevance

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