Meaning in linguistics

In linguistics, "meaning" refers to the information or concept that words, phrases, or sentence structures convey to a listener or reader. It involves how language represents ideas, objects, actions, or states of being, allowing us to communicate and understand each other. Meaning can be divided into two types: literal (the explicit content of words) and implied or contextual (the implied or inferred message based on situation). It’s a central focus because language's primary purpose is to transmit meaning effectively, enabling us to share thoughts and experiences.