- meaning
- mean|ingW1S2 [ˈmi:nıŋ] n▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(of a word/sign etc)¦2¦(ideas in speech/book etc)¦3 what's the meaning of this?4¦(purpose/special quality)¦5¦(true nature)¦6 (not) know the meaning of something▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1.) ¦(OF A WORD/SIGN ETC)¦ [U and C]the thing or idea that a word, expression, or sign representsmeaning of▪ I don't know the precise meaning of the word 'gleaned'.▪ The expression has two very different meanings in English.2.) ¦(IDEAS IN SPEECH/BOOK ETC)¦ [U and C]the thoughts or ideas that someone wants you to understand from what they say, do, write etcmeaning of▪ The meaning of her words was clear. We'd lost our jobs.meaning behind▪ She hardly dared to understand the meaning behind his statement.get/understand sb's meaning(=understand what they are trying to tell you)▪ He's become a bit more than a friend, if you get my meaning.3.) what's the meaning of this?spoken used to demand an explanation▪ What's the meaning of this? I asked you to be here an hour ago!4.) ¦(PURPOSE/SPECIAL QUALITY)¦[U]the quality that makes life, work etc seem to have a purpose or value▪ Life seemed to have lost its meaning since Janet's death.▪ Her studies no longer seemed to have any meaning .▪ For many people it is religion that gives meaning to their existence.5.) ¦(TRUE NATURE)¦[U]the true nature and importance of somethingmeaning of▪ We seem to have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.6.) (not) know the meaning of sthto have, or not have, experience and understanding of a particular situation or feeling▪ Living in a warzone, the children knew the meaning of fear.▪ Guilty! She doesn't know the meaning of the word!
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.