Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or process of bringing goods or services into one country from another: This refers to the commercial activity of purchasing commodities from foreign sources and bringing them across national borders.
   • The commodities (goods or services) themselves that are brought in from a foreign country: This meaning refers to the items that are imported.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Act/Process):
  • The importation of luxury cars increased last year.
  • Strict regulations govern the importation of agricultural products.
• Noun (Commodities):
  • These electronics are recent importations from Asia.
  • The store specializes in fine Italian importations.

Advanced Usage

• "Importation of ideas/culture": Used metaphorically to describe the introduction of concepts, styles, or practices from one region or group into another.
  • The importation of democratic ideals influenced the nation's constitution.

Variants and Related Words

• Import (verb/noun): The more common verb form meaning to bring in goods, or the noun for the goods themselves or the act.
  • The company imports coffee. (verb)
  • Coffee is a major import. (noun, commodity)
  • The import of goods requires a license. (noun, act)
• Importer (noun): A person or company that brings goods into a country.
  • She is a leading importer of French wines.

Synonyms

• Importing (n): The action of bringing in goods.
• Introduction (n): (In the metaphorical sense) The bringing of an idea or practice into use.

Related Phrases

• "For importation": Intended to be imported.
  • The products are packaged for importation.
• "Prohibit the importation of": To officially forbid bringing certain goods into a country.
  • The law prohibits the importation of endangered species.

Noun

1. commodities (goods or services) bought from a foreign country
2. the commercial activity of buying and bringing in goods from a foreign country