Importation

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Importation

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

im-por-TAY-shun  /ɪmpɔːˈteɪʃ(ə)n/

Definition

The process of bringing goods or services into a country from abroad for sale; the introduction of something from one place or culture to another.

Plain meaning

Importation is the act or process of importing — bringing goods, products, or services into a country from another country. The importation of electronics from Asia means buying electronics made in Asia and bringing them in for sale. The importation of a word or custom means it came from another language or culture. Importation is the noun form of import, used in legal, commercial, and policy contexts.

Register

Formal to technical. Importation is more formal and legalistic than import. It appears in trade agreements, customs regulations, legislation, and formal commercial documents. The noun import (or imports) is more common in everyday speech; importation is used where greater technical or legal precision is needed.