Significant

Welcome to the Voice of America’s News Words.

This word is taken from a story about a recent climate deal reached between the U.S. and China.

Significant.

Chinese smokestacks put out more carbon dioxide than any other country’s, more even than the world’s largest economy, the United States.

So Wednesday’s announcement by U.S. president Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping was significant says Duke University climate policy expert Tim Profeta.

When you say something is significant, you mean it is important.

Something significant is special, and worth noting.

Now, the next time you hear significant, you will know what this News Word means!