pragmatics

[ prag-mat-iks ]

noun

, (used with a singular verb)

1. Logic, Philosophy. the branch of semiotics dealing with the causal and other relations between words, expressions, or symbols and their users.
2. Linguistics. the analysis of language in terms of the situational context within which utterances are made, including the knowledge and beliefs of the speaker and the relation between speaker and listener.
3. practical considerations.

pragmatics

/ præɡˈmætɪks /

noun

1. the study of those aspects of language that cannot be considered in isolation from its use
2. the study of the relation between symbols and those who use them

Word History and Origins

Origin of pragmatics¹

First recorded in 1935–40; pragmatic, -ics

Example Sentences

“I want an architecture that derives from the pragmatics of the structure,” he says.

From Slate

But then there are two important pragmatics weighing in Trump's favor.

From Salon

In the months since, some Taliban officials have publicly called for girls to return to high schools — bringing attention to a rift the leadership has sought to play down, between ideologues and pragmatics among the Taliban.

From New York Times

Cornsilk told me that it is also a matter of pragmatics.

From New York Times

So it’s everything from the sociology, the etiquette, or what linguists call the pragmatics of it, to literally how to operate the system and set policies.

From The Verge