{
    "term": "meaning",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a1",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "the thing or idea that a sound, word, sign, etc. represents",
            "sensetop": "meaning (of something)",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "What's the meaning of this word?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Words often have several meanings."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I am using the word with its original meaning."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The **literal meaning** of China is ‘the country at the centre’."
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘Honesty’? He doesn't **know the meaning of the word**!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "I can't grasp the meaning of this quotation."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The customer did not understand the meaning of the licence terms."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It is difficult for a non-Italian to grasp all the nuances of meaning."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Some of the symbols carry meaning and some just represent sounds."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The context largely determines the meaning."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The copy editor uses her skill to clarify the meaning."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The word ‘gay’ took on its modern meaning in the 1960s."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There's often a double meaning in jokes and riddles."
                },
                {
                    "text": "These translation errors alter the meaning of the sentence."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["clear", "exact", "precise"],
                "verb + meaning": ["comprehend", "get", "grasp"],
                "preposition": [
                    "in a/​the meaning",
                    "with a/​the meaning",
                    "meaning behind"
                ],
                "phrases": ["a nuance of meaning", "a shade of meaning"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "the things or ideas that somebody wishes to communicate to you by what they say or do",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "It is important to make your meaning clear."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I don't quite **get your meaning** *(= understand what you mean to say)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "What's the meaning of this? I explicitly told you not to leave the room."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I think you misunderstood my meaning."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'm sure there's no hidden meaning in what he says."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She assigns a meaning to his words they just didn't have."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["clear", "exact", "precise"],
                "verb + meaning": ["comprehend", "get", "grasp"],
                "preposition": [
                    "in a/​the meaning",
                    "with a/​the meaning",
                    "meaning behind"
                ],
                "phrases": ["a nuance of meaning", "a shade of meaning"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "the real importance of a feeling or an experience",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "With Anna he learned the meaning of love."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The story explores the true meaning of freedom."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It is difficult to grasp the meaning of these events."
                },
                {
                    "text": "For her, the research trip had a different meaning: she was going home."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I am finally learning the real meaning of moderation."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["deep", "real", "true"],
                "verb + meaning": ["have", "acquire", "find"],
                "preposition": ["without meaning"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "the ideas that a writer, artist, etc. wishes to communicate through a book, painting, etc.",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "several **layers of meaning**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "There are, of course, deeper meanings in the poem."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This chapter is important if the reader is to understand the full meaning of this novel."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This is a disturbing tale that conveys meaning on several levels."
                },
                {
                    "text": "For him, art held little intrinsic meaning."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The movie ends with scenes that are supposed to leave us pondering its meaning."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["clear", "exact", "precise"],
                "verb + meaning": ["comprehend", "get", "grasp"],
                "preposition": [
                    "in a/​the meaning",
                    "with a/​the meaning",
                    "meaning behind"
                ],
                "phrases": ["a nuance of meaning", "a shade of meaning"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "the quality or sense of purpose that makes you feel that your life is valuable",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Her life seemed to have lost all meaning."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Having a child gave new meaning to their lives."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Falling in love gave meaning to his life."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He found spiritual meaning through religion."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Her work no longer had any meaning for her."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She's searching for the deeper meaning of life."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Young people can feel that life is without meaning."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["deep", "real", "true"],
                "verb + meaning": ["have", "acquire", "find"],
                "preposition": ["without meaning"]
            }
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈmiːnɪŋ/",
                "audio": "me/meaning/meaning__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈmiːnɪŋ/",
                "audio": "me/meaning/meaning__us_3.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "late Middle English: verbal noun from mean (verb)."
}