importation

Meanings

1. 1noununcountableformalbusiness

   The act or process of bringing goods into a country from another country in order to sell or use them.

   Grammar: Usually without an or plural: the importation of timber.

   Patterns

   • the importation of something
   • importation from somewhere

   The importation of fresh fruit is strictly regulated.

   New laws limit the importation of certain chemicals.

   The country banned the importation of live animals.

2. 2nouncountableformalrare

   Something brought in from another place, such as a product, a custom or an idea.

   Grammar: Rare as a countable noun; usually the plural importations.

   Patterns

   • an importation from somewhere

   Silk was a costly importation from the East.

   The festival is a recent importation from abroad.

   These flowers are an importation from tropical regions.

Word forms

Common combinations

importation of goods

The importation of goods rose sharply last year.

ban the importation

The government banned the importation of ivory.

illegal importation

Customs officers stopped the illegal importation of drugs.

importation duty

An importation duty was added to the price of wine.

restrict importation

Quotas restrict importation of cheap steel.

Synonyms and how they differ

import

Import is the normal everyday noun and verb for this idea, while importation sounds official and stresses the process.

entry

Entry is more general and means going in, while importation specifically refers to goods or things brought into a country.

introduction

Introduction is used for new ideas or things arriving in a place, but importation more often involves trade.

inbound trade

Inbound trade is business jargon for imports in general, while importation names the specific act.

Opposites

Word family

import verb

to bring goods into a country for sale or use

import noun

a product brought in from abroad

importer noun

a person or company that brings in goods

imported adjective

brought in from another country

reimportation noun

bringing back goods that were earlier sent out

Commonly confused: importation or importance?

Practice

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