1
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
somewhat old-fashioned
: conveying or intended to convey meaning : significant, meaningful
a meaning smile
When any mention was made of baronets either married or unmarried, of former lovers, of broken vows, or of second engagements, Miss Altifiorla would look with a meaning glance at her hostess.—
Anthony Trollope
Anthony TrollopeRuby lifted her heavy-lidded eyes and sent him a meaning look.—Edna Ferber
Edna Ferber
meaningly
adverb
She said: "I am not a very plucky girl." She looked up at me and added meaningly: "And you know it. And you know why."
—Joseph Conrad
Joseph Conrad
"I have come about a private matter," he said, looking meaningly at Betty, who got up and began to move toward the door.
—P. G. Wodehouse
P. G. Wodehouse
Examples of meaning in a Sentence
Noun
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.
Adjective
gave me a meaning look after I said that
Recent Examples on the Web
Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
April 2025 The Hierophant: April invites you to seek deeper meaning and wisdom from your life, Pisces.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
In 1689, Locke examined natural rights in the second treatise of Two Treatises on Government, but his first treatise established the full meaning of those rights.
—Time, 1 July 2025
Beyond its functional role, the train held symbolic meaning for the monarch, connecting her to a legacy that dated back to Queen Victoria.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for meaning
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The meaning shifted with American baby showers and Pop culture, like Mattel’s barbie.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
April 2025 The Hierophant: April invites you to seek deeper meaning and wisdom from your life, Pisces.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
In 1689, Locke examined natural rights in the second treatise of Two Treatises on Government, but his first treatise established the full meaning of those rights.
—Time, 1 July 2025
Beyond its functional role, the train held symbolic meaning for the monarch, connecting her to a legacy that dated back to Queen Victoria.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for meaning
Cite this Entry
“Meaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meaning. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share