Definition of semantics
1
: the study of meanings:
a
: the historical and psychological study and the classification of changes in the signification of words or forms viewed as factors in linguistic development
b (1)
: semiotics
(2)
: a branch of semiotics dealing with the relations between signs and what they refer to and including theories of denotation, extension, naming, and truth
3 a
: the meaning or relationship of meanings of a sign or set of signs;
especially
: connotative meaning
b
: the language used (as in advertising or political propaganda) to achieve a desired effect on an audience especially through the use of words with novel or dual meanings
