Rilevanza

Rilevanza, in English meaning relevance, is the quality of being closely connected or applicable to a matter or context. In Italian, rilevanza is a general term used across disciplines to denote significance or pertinence. The word derives from the Italian verb rilevare ("to detect, notice") combined with the abstract noun suffix -anza.

In information retrieval and data analysis, rilevanza denotes how well a document, result, or item satisfies a user’s information need. It underpins ranking algorithms, relevance judgments, and user-interface decisions. Relevance is often graded or binary, and can be contextual, depending on factors such as search intent, domain, and user preferences. Common evaluation metrics include precision, recall, and more sophisticated graded relevance schemes.

In law, rilevanza probatoria refers to the probative relevance of evidence—the extent to which it proves a matter in issue; irrelevant or prejudicial evidence may be excluded.

In journalism and media, rilevanza or relevance assesses the significance of a topic for an audience, guiding editorial choices and reporting priorities.

Notes on theory and usage: the concept is inherently contextual and subjective, with debates about how to measure relevance across domains and how to balance brevity, completeness, and timeliness. See also relevance, pertinence, and significance.