Signified

The term "signified" refers to the concept or meaning that a word, symbol, or sign represents. It’s the idea or thing that our minds associate with a particular sign or symbol. For example, the word "tree" is a sign, and the actual concept of a tall, leafy plant is the signified. In communication, signs connect to their meanings (signifieds) to help us understand each other. This concept originates from semiotics, the study of signs and symbols, emphasizing how language and symbols function as links between representations and their meanings.