Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - meaning

(meanings) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. The meaning of a word, expression, or gesture is the thing or idea that it refers to or represents and which can be explained using other words. I hadn’t a clue to the meaning of ‘activism’... I became more aware of the symbols and their meanings. N-VAR 2. The meaning of what someone says or of something such as a book or film is the thoughts or ideas that are intended to be expressed by it. Unsure of the meaning of this remark, Ryle chose to remain silent... = significance N-VAR 3. If an activity or action has meaning, it has a purpose and is worthwhile. Art has real meaning when it helps people to understand themselves. ...a challenge that gives meaning to life. N-UNCOUNT 4. If you mention something and say that someone doesn’t know the meaning of the word, you are emphasizing that they have never experienced the thing mentioned or do not have the quality mentioned. Don’t mention failure when Kevin is around. He doesn’t know the meaning of the word. PHRASE: V inflects c darkgreen]emphasis