n. — Canadian Football
a non-Canadian player whose participation in the game is limited according to the current CFL rule book.
Type: 1. Origin — The meaning of the term designated import has changed several times since it was first introduced. In most common usage, it designates a (non-Canadian) player who cannot play in the opening formation of a game but can then participate as a member of a special team or replace another player, who then cannot return to the game. For most intents and purposes, a designated import is a non-Canadian player who can play once a game has started even if the number of import players is already at the maximum.
The rules surrounding imports are intended to ensure that Canadian players have a chance to participate in the CFL.
See also COD-2, which marks the term as "Cdn Football".