im·port 
(ĭm-pôrt, ĭmpôrt′)
(ĭm-pôrt, ĭmpôrt′)tr.v. im·port·ed, im·port·ing, im·ports
1. To bring or carry in from an outside source, especially to bring in (goods or materials) from a foreign country for trade or sale.
2. Computers To receive (data) into one program from another.
3.
a. To carry or hold the meaning of; signify: had trouble understanding what the strange word imported.
b. To express or make known: the news imported by their letter.
c. To betoken or indicate: a high inflation rate importing hard times for the consumer.
n. (ĭmpôrt′)
1. Something imported: levied a tax on imports from overseas.
2. The act or occupation of importing goods or materials.
3. Meaning; signification: The import of his statement is ambiguous.
4. Importance; significance: a legal decision of far-reaching import. See Synonyms at importance.
[Middle English importen, to convey a meaning, from Medieval Latin importāre and from Old French importer, to cause, both from Latin importāre, to carry in, cause : in-, in; see IN-2 + portāre, to carry; see per-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
im·port′a·bili·ty n.
im·porta·ble adj.
im·porter n.