What is the study of meaning in language called?

The study of meaning in language is referred to as semantics. This field of study explores how individuals understand and interpret words, phrases, sentences, and texts, focusing on the meanings conveyed through language. Semantics delves into various aspects of meaning, including denotation (the literal meaning) and connotation (the implied or associated meanings), as well as relationships between different meanings and how context influences interpretation.

In contrast, lexicon pertains to the vocabulary and the collection of words within a language, but it doesn’t specifically address how those words convey meaning. Syntax is concerned with the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences, emphasizing structure rather than meaning. Phonetics focuses on the sounds of speech and how they are articulated, which is distinct from the meanings those sounds represent. Each of these other areas plays a significant role in language but does not encompass the direct study of meaning, which is the core of semantics.