import

USAGE SUMMARY

'import' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It functions as a verb and usually refers to the process of bringing goods into a country, (e.g., "The United States imports many goods from China"). It can also refer to the idea of bringing something of value into a person's life, (e.g., "He imported a sense of joy into the room").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moscow could grant Greece privileged import access, thereby generating revenue for struggling companies back home and allowing Tsipras to present a concrete result to his voters.

The Guardian

No one denies we need to import highly-skilled workers from wherever we can find them.

The Guardian - Opinion

But this is not really bad news, because the jump was mostly due to a massive increase in the import of machinery and equipment from Korea to Western Australia: The rumour is the that it was a number of locomotives for Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill mine.

The Guardian - Business

The Shock Doctrine argues that big corporations in search of new markets benefit when governments import the neoliberal economic system, often as a result of pressure from the US, but that this often has catastrophic consequences for ordinary people.

The Guardian - Film

Unless milled, the import of GM foods is banned in Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Guardian

This complaint to the ABC was fairly typical: "Can I ask which genius determined to import a broadcast caller for the Socceroos game next Tuesday from Melbourne instead of our local boy Aaron Kearney?

The Guardian - Sport

Indian customs have been ordered to block the import of smartphones or other devices that potentially infringe on Ericsson patents until further notice.

The Guardian - Tech

Related: Black rhino hunt permit brings $350,000 at controversial auction Last year's permit went for $350,000, but the club has said the rhino hunt has been postponed until the winner receives permission to import the carcass of the animal he will shoot in Namibia.

The Guardian

"We import all the seeds, most of the pesticides and elements for fertilisers, we import all of the equipment and we import the generators," said Lebedev, sipping a latte in an upmarket Moscow restaurant.

The Guardian

Nike is not oblivious to the fact that it is more likely to import items to the US than export to Asia.

The Guardian

The current US need to import 2m bpd, much of it from Saudi Arabia, may soon simply evaporate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "import" in a business context, clearly specify the items being imported, their origin, and the purpose of the import to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Ensure you're using "import" to describe bringing goods into a country, not sending them out. "Export" is the opposite action.

Linguistic Context

The word "import" primarily functions as a verb, indicating the action of bringing goods or data into a country or system. It can also function as a noun, referring to the goods brought in or the significance of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "import" is a versatile word used primarily as a verb or a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately describes bringing goods, data, or concepts into a system or country. Its formality varies, but it is most frequently found in news, business, and scientific contexts. When writing, remember to distinguish "import" from "export" and to be precise about what is being imported. Alternatives like "bring in" or "ship in" can offer nuanced meaning depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring in

Focuses on the action of bringing something physically or conceptually into a place or system.

ship in

Specifically refers to transporting goods, often over long distances.

introduce

Implies bringing something new into a system or context.

infuse

Suggests adding a quality or element to something else.

ingest

More formal, implies taking something in, often data or information.

transfer

Focuses on moving something from one place or system to another.

load

Refers to loading data into a system, typically in computing.

derive

Implies obtaining something from a source.

annex

Implies adding a territory or concept by appropriation.

enter

Simple term for moving or adding to a data set.

FAQs

How to use "import" in a sentence?

You can use "import" to describe bringing goods into a country (e.g., "We import coffee from Brazil") or to describe the significance of something (e.g., "The decision was of great import").

What can I say instead of "import" when referring to goods?

You can use alternatives like "bring in", "ship in", or "receive" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "import" or "export"?

"Import" refers to bringing goods or services into a country, while "export" refers to sending them out. They are opposite actions.

What's the difference between "import" and "introduce"?

"Import" typically refers to bringing goods or data from another country or system. "Introduce" refers to presenting something new, which may or may not come from outside.