Collins English-English Dictionary

meaning ['miːnɪŋ]

1. 1. n the sense or significance of a word, sentence, symbol, etc; import; semantic or lexical content

2. 2. n the purpose underlying or intended by speech, action, etc

3. 3. n the inner, symbolic, or true interpretation, value, or message

   the meaning of a dream

4. 4. n valid content; efficacy

   a law with little or no meaning

5. 5. n [Philosophy] the sense of an expression; its connotation

6. 6. n the reference of an expression; its denotation. In recent philosophical writings meaning can be used in both the above senses - See also sense

7. 7. adj expressive of some sense, intention, criticism, etc

   a meaning look

8. 8. adj See also well-meaning