What does imported mean?
Imported means brought in from somewhere else, especially from another country. The word is frequently used for products, food, vehicles, and raw materials that have been acquired abroad, as in “imported goods” or “imported cheese.” It can also describe ideas, customs, styles, or technologies introduced from a different country or organization. In those contexts, imported does not necessarily suggest inferiority, though it may imply that the item or practice comes from outside a familiar local setting. As a verb form, imported is the past tense and past participle of import: a company imported textiles, or a designer imported tailoring techniques from Europe. The word derives from import, ultimately from Latin importare, meaning to carry or bring in. Its opposite is exported, referring to goods sent out from a country.
Brought into a country from abroad, or introduced from another place, system, or culture.
"The shop specializes in imported teas and handcrafted ceramics."
Common for goods and products; also used of ideas, traditions, and other features introduced from elsewhere.
The past tense and past participle of import: to bring goods into a country, or to bring something into a place, system, or use.
"The business imported rare ingredients from across the Mediterranean."
In this form, imported is used with an object or with a subject in constructions such as “the company imported textiles.”
The word “imported” carries the journey hidden inside it: something has been carried in, often crossing a border before it reaches a shelf, market, or conversation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does imported come from?
The form imported was formed in English by adding the suffix -ed to import. Import comes from Latin importare, a compound of in- (“in”) and portare (“to carry”), and originally referred to bringing goods into a port. The related export reverses the direction of movement, while portable and transport continue the sense of carrying.
Related word forms
How imported is actually used
The adjective is common in commerce, culture, and general discussion. In business contexts, “imported” may simply indicate that a product originated abroad; in broader use, it can suggest something unusual, sophisticated, or culturally foreign.
Easily confused with imported
Imported goods are brought into a country, while exported goods are sent from one country to another.