denotation

[ dee-noh-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. 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.
2. 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. Logic.
   1. the class of particulars to which a term is applicable.
   2. that which is represented by a sign.

denotation

/ ˌdiːnəʊˈteɪʃən /

noun

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

denotation

1. The basic dictionary meaning of a word, without its connotations . For example, the denotation of the word modern is “belonging to recent times,” although the word may have different connotations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of denotation¹

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

Example Sentences

He warned police not to shoot him, saying he had a denotation trigger.

From Washington Post

But then we bring grammar and syntax and diction and meaning making and connotation and denotation, we take the ocean of sign system and make it into sentences and words, meanings.

From Los Angeles Times

They have the denotation level, which is what they mean in the dictionary sense.

From Salon

By denotations, the actual real-world reference of a given word or phrase.

From Salon

You’ll find circles, as in denotations for birdies, under holes No. 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17.

From Washington Post