denotation

C2
Pronunciation
/ˌdiː.noʊˈteɪ.ʃən/
Noun
6 definition(s)
1 Definition

The act of denoting, or something (such as a symbol) that denotes

2 Definition

The primary, surface, literal, or explicit meaning of a signifier such as a word, phrase, or symbol; that which a word denotes, as contrasted with its connotation; the aggregate or set of objects of which a word may be predicated.

Example Sentences
  • The denotations of the two expressions "the morning star" and "the evening star" are the same (i.e. both expressions denote the planet Venus), but their connotations are different.
3 Definition

The intension and extension of a word

4 Definition

Something signified or referred to; a particular meaning of a symbol

5 Definition

Any mathematical object which describes the meanings of expressions from the languages, formalized in the theory of denotational semantics

6 Definition

(media studies) A first level of analysis: what the audience can visually see on a page. Denotation often refers to something literal, and avoids being a metaphor.