language
playSimple Definition of language
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: the system of words or signs that people use to express thoughts and feelings to each other
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: any one of the systems of human language that are used and understood by a particular group of people
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: words of a particular kind
Full Definition of language
1 a : the words, their pronunciation, and the methods of combining them used and understood by a community b (1) : audible, articulate, meaningful sound as produced by the action of the vocal organs (2) : a systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or marks having understood meanings (3) : the suggestion by objects, actions, or conditions of associated ideas or feelings <language in their very gesture — Shakespeare> (4) : the means by which animals communicate (5) : a formal system of signs and symbols (as FORTRAN or a calculus in logic) including rules for the formation and transformation of admissible expressions (6) : machine language 1
2 a : form or manner of verbal expression; specifically : style b : the vocabulary and phraseology belonging to an art or a department of knowledge c : profanity
3 : the study of language especially as a school subject
4 : specific words especially in a law or regulation
Related to language
Examples of language in a sentence
How many languages do you speak?
French is her first language.
The book has been translated into several languages.
He's learning English as a second language.
a new word that has recently entered the language
the formal language of the report
the beauty of Shakespeare's language
She expressed her ideas using simple and clear language.
He is always careful in his use of language.
Origin of language
Middle English, from Anglo-French langage, from lange, langue tongue, language, from Latin lingua — more at tongue
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
Rhymes with language
LANGUAGE Defined for Kids
language
playDefinition of language for Students
1 : the words and expressions used and understood by a large group of people <the English language>
2 : spoken or written words of a particular kind <She used simple and clear language.>
3 : a means of expressing ideas or feelings <sign language>
4 : a formal system of signs and symbols that is used to carry information <a computer language>
5 : the special words used by a certain group or in a certain field <the language of science>
6 : the study of languages
Learn More about language
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "language" Spanish Central: Translation of "language" Nglish: Translation of "language" for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of "language" for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "language"
Seen and Heard
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