imports - Master This Word
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imports Word Meanings
- to bring goods or services into a country from abroad
- to introduce something into a context
- to obtain and use data from a file or system
imports Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
imports Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈɪmpɔːt/
US
/ˈɪmpɔrt/
imports Word Etymology
im- = not + port = carry; Latin 'importare' to carry in; Imagine a merchant ship sailing into a harbor, bringing exotic goods from distant lands.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I squat down, grab a box, and push it toward the table, watching the light shift as the shadow moves with it. I set the box down, adjust my grip, and feel the weight change in my hands as something from abroad comes into view here. I turn to a screen, pull up a file, and let the cursor move steadily as data flows in from the other side of the system. Through these steps, import begins to feel real—bringing goods, ideas, or data into this moment, one practiced motion at a time.
Real Context
Import is a versatile verb with three core meanings. First, to bring goods or services into a country from abroad, as when a business imports coffee or electronics. Second, to introduce something into a context, such as ideas, policies, or styles that add a new element to a discussion or project. Third, in computing, to obtain and use data from a file or system, for example importing data from a CSV file into a spreadsheet or importing a library into a program. Common collocations include import duties, import data, and import statement.
Usage Reminders
- Bring goods or data into a country; this is the main sense.
- Do not confuse with export.
- In computing, use an import statement to load data or libraries.
- Common collocations include import duties, import data, and import statement.
- Note the pronunciation: the verb is im-PORT; the noun IMPORT is pronounced the same but stress may shift in some contexts.
Common Misconceptions
- Import and export are the same idea; they are just opposite concepts.
- Import sounds like 'important' and is only used for goods.
- Import refers only to physical goods, not data or code.
- In computing, import is not used; you can just copy and paste.
- Import is always a noun; it cannot be a verb.
Thinking Differences
Import tends to center on bringing something in from outside or loading data; learners often mistake it for 'important' or confuse with export.
Learning Tips
- Practice pronouncing im-PORT for the verb and IMPORT for the noun.
- Learn common collocations like import data, import duties, and import statement.
- Distinguish import from export to avoid mix-ups in speech and writing.
- Use import when talking about goods, information, or code.
- Create mini-scenarios: when would you import something vs when would you export?
- Review root 'port' to remember carry and imagine a ship delivering goods.
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