denotation

UK: /ˌdiːnəʊˈteɪʃən/ US: /ˌdinoʊˈteɪʃən/ ,(dē′nō tā′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•no•ta•tion /ˌdinoʊˈteɪʃən/  n. [countable]

1. the specific meaning of a word or expression. Compare connotation.

See -nota-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•no•ta•tion  (dē′nō tā′shən), n. 

1. Linguistics the explicit or direct meaning or set of meanings of a word or expression, as distinguished from the ideas or meanings associated with it or suggested by it;
   the association or set of associations that a word usually elicits for most speakers of a language, as distinguished from those elicited for any individual speaker because of personal experience. Cf. connotation.
2. Linguistics a word that names or signifies something specific:
   "Wind'' is the denotation for air in natural motion. "Poodle'' is the denotation for a certain breed of dog.
3. the act or fact of denoting;
   indication.
4. something that denotes;
   mark;
   symbol.
5. Philosophy [Logic.]
   • the class of particulars to which a term is applicable.
   • that which is represented by a sign.

• Latin dēnotātiōn- (stem of dēnotātiō) a marking out, equivalent. to dēnotāt(us) (past participle of dēnotāre; see denote) + -iōn- -ion
• 1525–35

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

denotation / ˌdiːnəʊˈteɪʃən/ noun

1. the act or process of denoting; indication
2. a particular meaning, esp one given explicitly rather than by suggestion
3. something designated or referred to
   Compare referent, connotation
4. another name for extension11