Meaning

Meaning is the sense, interpretation, or significance attributed to something. It can refer to linguistic meaning—the relation between a word, phrase, or sentence and what it denotes or conveys—and to a broader sense of significance in life, action, symbols, or events.

In linguistics, meaning is studied as semantics and pragmatics. Semantics analyzes the relationships among signs, their sense (conceptual content) and reference (the objects they denote). Classical distinctions include Frege's sense and reference and Saussure's sign, which pairs a signifier with a signified. Polysemy, ambiguity, and synonyms are central concerns; pragmatics adds context to interpretation.

In philosophy, theories of meaning address how words relate to truth conditions, beliefs, or use. Some accounts are truth-conditional; others emphasize use in language games or intentions of speakers. Meaning can also be viewed as mental representation or communicative intent.

Existential meaning concerns purpose or significance in life. People may derive meaning from relationships, activities, work, or values. Debates contrast subjective meaning—personal significance—with objective or cosmic meaning, and explore how culture, religion, and personal narrative shape meaning.

Meaning is mediated by culture and cognition; social contexts, symbol systems, and shared conventions influence interpretation. Cross-cultural differences exist in how signs acquire meaning, and learning guides how individuals acquire linguistic and symbolic meanings.