denotation

noun

ˌdē-nō-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce denotation (audio)
Definition of denotationnext
1
as in moniker
a word or combination of words by which a person or thing is regularly known "soul" is the common denotation for that mysterious force within the human body that gives it life and yet is separate from it

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2
as in meaning
the idea that is conveyed or intended to be conveyed to the mind by language, symbol, or action although most people exercise for fitness, the denotation of the term "fitness" varies from exerciser to exerciser

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of denotation The 7x2 and 9x4 designations are a denotation of the rockets' engine configurations. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was killed during the denotation on July 19 at Erbil Air Base. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 21 July 2026 Controlled denotations were conducted Sunday at the site to dispose of hazardous materials, the agency said. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2025 How much control, at this point, the subcommittee can exert over emoji denotation and connotation isn’t clear. — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 29 June 2025 But the New Zealand Department of Conservation lists the reptiles as at risk — relict, a denotation reserved for species that declined to a small population but have since stabilized. — Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2024 Cleverly staging appearance as disappearance, connotation serves as denotation. — Jerrine Tan, Wired, 4 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for denotation
  1. moniker
  2. meaning
  3. nomenclature
  4. sense
  5. name
  6. significance
  7. title
  8. content
Noun
  • This is the Leeds full-length that sounds most like the previous one, despite the producer typically showing great range even across his individual monikers.
    — Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026
  • When Nick went to present his first big case to clients and the board, he was paralyzed by stuttering, and the firm hired a vocal coach who taught him to sing through the stammer, hence the moniker.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of moniker
Noun
  • Nighthawks poses a series of questions and references that together offer the viewer traces of meaning.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The thing becomes kind of boring and has lost all meaning to it.
    — Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of meaning
Noun
  • The technologies themselves aren't changing, but NASA's effort to implement the nomenclature introduces new obstacles for scientific communication and the agency's digital infrastructure.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Under this nomenclature, Fredonia would be the poetic and literary term, and denizens of the nation would be called Fredonians, or more colloquially, Fredes.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of nomenclature
Noun
  • The tightness of White’s control over his arrangements can occasionally foreclose the sense of chaotic freedom inherent to his more collaborative efforts.
    — Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • This approach was meant to counter Vucic's one-man rule and restore a sense of community and solidarity.
    — JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • Peanut brittle in individual packages lack the name of producer and ingredients.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The name came from the fact that the original cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg spice blend was the same as that used in pumpkin pie.
    — Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of name
Noun
  • The technology’s significance extends beyond completing individual development milestones.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Opel/Stellantis GM walked away from Opel in 2017 and American buyers rarely get a taste of modern Opel products, but the STX has significance for the broader global market.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of significance
Noun
  • The New York Yankees become the first team in more than a quarter-century to win three straight World Series titles, beating the New York Mets 4-2.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • As their titles indicate, the two larger works, Le Jour and Le Nuit, are in dialogue with each other.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of title
Noun
  • Doing so permanently deletes all locked chats, any memories stored only within locked chats, and files or other content protected only by the previous PIN.
    — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The latest Netflix call underlined the growth in terms of viewers of content coming from non-English language countries.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of content

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Cite this Entry

“Denotation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denotation. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on denotation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about denotation

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