{
    "term": "importance",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "b1",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "the quality of being important",
            "sensetop": "of importance (to somebody)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She **stressed the importance** of careful preparation."
                },
                {
                    "text": "to **emphasize/highlight the importance** of something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He **understands the importance** of getting the details right."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They **attach** great **importance** to the project."
                },
                {
                    "text": "the **relative importance **of the two ideas"
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's a matter of **the utmost importance **to me.",
                    "contextForm": "of importance (to somebody)"
                },
                {
                    "text": "to be of **paramount/vital importance**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "State your reasons in order of importance."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was very aware of his own importance *(= of his status)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Don't underestimate the importance of good presentation."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Education takes on an added importance at a time of economic uncertainty."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It is of the utmost importance that you arrive on time."
                },
                {
                    "text": "No one can seriously question the political importance of the environment."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She was inclined to downplay the importance of her own role in the affair."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The manual stresses the importance of regular maintenance."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The overseas markets have now declined in importance."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The railways were of crucial importance in opening up the American West."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The town's importance lies in the richness and quality of its architecture."
                },
                {
                    "text": "These finds have considerable archaeological importance."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This information is of the first importance."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He placed such great importance on cleanliness."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["cardinal", "central", "considerable"],
                "verb + importance": ["have", "assume", "take on"],
                "importance + verb": ["lie in something"],
                "preposition": ["of… importance", "importance  for", "importance  to"],
                "phrases": [
                    "in order of importance",
                    "a matter of grave importance",
                    "a matter of great importance"
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ɪmˈpɔːtns/",
                "audio": "im/importance/importance__gb_2.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ɪmˈpɔːrtns/",
                "audio": "im/importance/importance__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "early 16th cent.: from French, from medieval Latin importantia, from important- ‘being of consequence’, from the verb importare ‘bring in’ (in medieval Latin ‘imply, mean, be of consequence’), from in- ‘in’ + portare ‘carry’."
}