meaning

noun

mean·​ing ˈmē-niŋ 

1

a

: the thing one intends to convey especially by language : purport

Do not mistake my meaning.

b

: the thing that is conveyed especially by language : import

Many words have more than one meaning.

2

: something meant or intended : aim

a mischievous meaning was apparent

3

: significant quality

especially : implication of a hidden or special significance

a glance full of meaning

4

a

: the logical connotation of a word or phrase

b

: the logical denotation or extension of a word or phrase

Synonyms of meaning

• sense
• significance
• content
• intention
• intent
• definition
• import

Examples of meaning in a Sentence

What is the precise meaning of this word in English?

an old word that has taken on a new meaning

The word has both literal meanings and figurative meanings.

a word with various shades of meaning

Don't distort her meaning by taking her words out of context.

I didn't understand the meaning of his remark.

Literary critics disagree about the meanings of his poems.

a poem with subtle shades of meaning

What is the meaning of life?

It's a story about the true meaning of Christmas.

Recent Examples on the Web

But its meaning goes beyond navigation. —Valentina Di Donato, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

The baseball held special meaning to the 26-year-old pitcher. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2026

Yet as the memory of the Civil War faded, the meaning of the symbols changed; the names Sumner and Brooks became emblems of partisan rancor—a cautionary tale about the breakdown of civil discourse. —Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026

For example, the Kaiija site has deep spiritual and cultural meaning to the Haya people (Ichumbaki is Haya). —Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing meaning

• grammatical meaning
• know the meaning of (something)
• know the meaning of the word
• lexical meaning
• well-meaning

Rhymes for meaning

• cleaning
• gleaning
• greening
• keening
• leaning
• peening
• preening
• screening
• weaning
• careening
• convening
• demeaning

Kids Definition

meaning

1 of 2 noun

mean·​ing

ˈmē-niŋ

1

a

: the sense one intends to communicate especially by language

do not mistake my meaning

b

: the sense that is communicated

the poem's meaning is clear

2

: purpose sense 1, intention

3

: intent to communicate information : significance

a glance full of meaning

meaning

2 of 2 adjective

: conveying or intended to convey meaning : significant

a meaning look