Which term refers to the variation in pitch during speech for conveying meaning?

The term that refers to the variation in pitch during speech for conveying meaning is intonation. Intonation plays a crucial role in spoken language as it can signal different grammatical structures, convey emotions, and indicate the speaker’s intent. For example, a rising intonation at the end of a sentence often indicates a question, while falling intonation can signal the end of a statement or express finality.

By changing the pitch during speech, speakers can also emphasize certain words or phrases, affecting the listener's understanding or the emotional tone of the communication. This melodic aspect of speech is vital for effective verbal communication, as it adds layers of meaning beyond the actual words spoken.

The other options are related to different aspects of language. Form refers to the structure of language, content relates to the meaning conveyed, and language itself is a broader term encompassing all aspects of communication. Therefore, they do not specifically address the concept of pitch variation that intonation encompasses.