imported
imported — verb
- importedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- importeds3rd person singular
- importeding-ing form
- importededpast simple
1. to bring products, raw materials, or goods into a country from another country s
to bring products, raw materials, or goods into a country from another country so they can be sold or used there
Rosa's company imported olive oil from Greece for the new restaurant chain.
import + noun phrase + from [country]
The factory imported steel from Germany when local supplies ran low.
Large amounts of fruit are imported into the region during the winter months.
Many car makers imported parts from several different countries at once.
Vikram imported specialty tea leaves directly from farms in Sri Lanka.
- export
to send goods out of a country for sale elsewhere
文法句型
import + noun phrase + from/into
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice when the focus is on the product rather than the importer. The prepositions from (origin) and into (destination) are commonly paired with this sense.
常見錯誤
2. to bring new products, customs, ideas, or practices from another country and beg
to bring new products, customs, ideas, or practices from another country and begin using them in your own country
Western companies imported their management style into the Indian offices.
import + abstract noun + into [place]
Hana imported the traditional fabric patterns into her modern clothing designs.
The country imported the concept of weekend markets from neighbouring Thailand.
Keiko imported baking techniques from France and taught them at her school.
Many sports were imported from Britain and became popular around the world.
- introduce
more general, does not specifically imply a foreign origin
- bring over
less formal, idiomatic
文法句型
import + noun phrase + from/into
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (concrete goods), this sense takes abstract objects such as ideas, styles, customs, or methods. Subject is often a person, company, or organisation adopting foreign practices.
常見錯誤
3. to transfer digital files, documents, contacts, or other data from one computer
to transfer digital files, documents, contacts, or other data from one computer system or program into another
Andre imported all his photos from the old laptop into the new software.
import + noun phrase + from [source] + into [destination]
The customer list was imported from the previous database without any problems.
passive: be imported from [source]
You can import your contacts from a social media account into the address book.
Binta imported the video file into the editing program and added subtitles.
The spreadsheet was imported from an older version of the application.
- export
in computing, to save or send data out of a program into another format
文法句型
import + noun phrase + from + into
用法筆記
Common in technology and computing contexts. Frequently appears as a button or menu command in software interfaces ('Import file', 'Import data'). The destination is often introduced with 'into'.
常見錯誤
imported — noun
1. a product that is brought into one country from another for sale or use
a product that is brought into one country from another for sale or use
Supermarkets now stock imports from Latin America such as coffee and bananas.
often plural: imports from [region]
Cheap textile imports hurt the local clothing industry.
The government placed new taxes on luxury imports like French wine.
Oil imports rose sharply after the local refinery closed down.
Xin checked the label to see whether the cheese was a local product or an import.
- foreign goods
broader, includes both imports and goods produced abroad but not necessarily traded
- export
a product sent out of a country for sale
用法筆記
Most often used in the plural (imports) when referring to the general category of foreign goods. Used in the singular (an import) for a single product or type.
常見錯誤
2. the business or process of bringing products into a country from abroad
the business or process of bringing products into a country from abroad
The import of electronic waste is banned under international law.
the import of + noun phrase
New rules made the import of certain chemicals much more expensive.
The company specialises in the import of fresh flowers from Kenya.
Strict controls on the import of meat products were introduced after the outbreak.
- importation
a longer synonym, equally formal, used especially in official documents
- export
the business of sending goods out of a country
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — always 'the import of...' not 'an import of...'. The synonym importation is also common and can be used interchangeably.
常見錯誤
3. the importance or significance of a statement, event, or discovery, when judged
the importance or significance of a statement, event, or discovery, when judged by its wider impact or value
Few people grasped the full import of the scientist's announcement at the time.
full import of + noun phrase
The judge explained the legal import of the new ruling to the jury.
Historians are still debating the political import of the treaty.
Elena did not grasp the full import of the doctor's warning until the test results arrived.
- significance
more common in general writing, less formal
- importance
everyday word for the same concept
用法筆記
Uncountable — never 'an import' in this sense. Typically modified by adjectives like 'full', 'real', 'true', 'political', 'legal'. Very formal — prefer 'importance' or 'significance' in everyday writing.
常見錯誤
4. the meaning, message, or sense that is carried or suggested by a word, statement
the meaning, message, or sense that is carried or suggested by a word, statement, or piece of writing beyond its surface content
The true import of the poem was not understood until scholars studied the author's letters.
true import of + noun phrase
Qing read the apology letter twice, trying to grasp the import hidden beneath the careful phrasing.
The ambassador paused to let the full import of his warning sink in.
Wen reread the contract to grasp the import of the legal terms.
用法筆記
Very rare in everyday language. Found mainly in literary criticism, formal speeches, and legal analysis. Distinguish from noun sense 3 (SIGNIFICANCE): sense 3 refers to the importance or weight of something as a value judgment about its wider impact, whereas this sense focuses on the hidden or implied meaning beneath the surface of what is said or written.