Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - importance

 noun  Date: 1508  1.  a. the quality or state of being important ; consequence  b. an important aspect or bearing ; significance  2. obsolete import, meaning  3. obsolete importunity  4. obsolete a weighty matter Synonyms:  ~, consequence, moment, weight, significance mean a quality or aspect having great worth or significance. ~ implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone a region with no cities of ~. consequence generally implies ~ because of probable or possible effects the style you choose is of little consequence. moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence a decision of great moment. weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative ~ of something the argument carried no weight with the judge. significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized the treaty's significance.