Relevance is the quality of being connected to or important for whatever you're discussing or dealing with. When something has relevance, it matters to the situation at hand.

If you're writing a report about dolphins, facts about whales might have some relevance because they're similar animals, but details about desert cacti have no relevance at all. When a teacher asks you to stay on topic during a presentation, she's asking you to focus on information with relevance to your subject.

In arguments or discussions, people often challenge each other's points by questioning their relevance: “What does that have to do with what we're talking about?” Scientists judge the relevance of their research by asking whether it helps solve real problems. A lawyer might object in court by saying “Irrelevant!” when the opposing side brings up facts that don't connect to the case.

When you're solving a problem, gathering relevant information means collecting the facts and details that actually help you find an answer: the specific data, examples, and ideas that move you closer to a solution. Being able to judge what's relevant and what isn't is a crucial skill for thinking clearly.