Dictionary.com
definitions

denotation

[dee-noh-tey-shuh n]
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR denotation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.
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.
the act or fact of denoting; indication.
something that denotes; mark; symbol.
Logic.
  1. the class of particulars to which a term is applicable.
  2. that which is represented by a sign.

RELATED CONTENT

Denotation and Connotation
If you want to discuss the meaning of a word, it helps to know the difference between denotation and connotation. These two terms are easy to confuse because they describe related concepts. Additionally, both denotation and connotation stem from the Latin word notāre, meaning “to note.” The denotation of a word or phrase is its explicit or direct meaning. Another way to think of it …
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

signification, definition, meaning, indication, implication
Compare connotation.

Origin of denotation

1525–35; < Latin dēnotātiōn- (stem of dēnotātiō) a marking out, equivalent to dēnotāt(us) (past participle of dēnotāre; see denote) + -iōn- -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for denotation

Historical Examples of denotation

British Dictionary definitions for denotation

denotation

noun

the act or process of denoting; indication
a particular meaning, esp one given explicitly rather than by suggestion
  1. something designated or referred toCompare referent, connotation
  2. another name for extension (def. 11)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for denotation
n.

1530s, "indication," from Late Latin denotationem (nominative denotatio), noun of action from past participle stem of denotare (see denote). As a term in logic, from 1843 (contrasted with connotation).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Culture definitions for denotation

denotation

[(dee-noh-tay-shuhn)]

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.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.